Proverbs 16
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
The plans of the heart belong to a person, but from Yahweh comes the answer from his tongue.
2 All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
All of a person's ways are pure in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the spirits.
3 Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
Commit your works to Yahweh and your plans will succeed.
4 The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
Yahweh has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
Yahweh hates everyone who has an arrogant heart, but be sure of this, they will not go unpunished.
6 By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.
By covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness iniquity is atoned for and by the fear of Yahweh people turn away from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
When a person's ways are pleasing to Yahweh, he makes even that person's enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
Better is a little with what is right, than a large income with injustice.
9 A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
In his heart a person plans out his way, but Yahweh directs his steps.
10 A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
Insightful decisions are on the lips of a king, his mouth should not betray justice.
11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
Honest scales come from Yahweh; all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
When kings do wicked things, that is something to be despised, for a throne is established by doing what is right.
13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
A king delights in lips that say what is right and he loves the one who speaks directly.
14 The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
A king's wrath is a messenger of death but a wise man will try to calm his anger.
15 When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
In the light of a king's face is life and his favor is like a cloud that brings a spring rain.
16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. To get understanding should be chosen more than silver.
17 The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
The highway of upright people turns away from evil; the one who protects his life guards his way.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a downfall.
19 It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
It is better to be humble among poor people than to divide the spoil with proud people.
20 Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
Whoever contemplates what they are taught will find what is good, and those who trust in Yahweh will be blessed.
21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
The one who is wise in heart is called discerning and sweetness of speech improves the ability to teach.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, but the instruction of fools is their foolishness.
23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
The heart of a wise person gives insight to his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb— sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
26 A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger urges him on.
27 A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
A worthless person digs up mischief and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
A perverse person stirs up conflict and a gossip separates close friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
A man of violence lies to his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
30 He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
The one who winks the eye is plotting perverse things; those who purse the lips will bring evil to pass.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living the right way.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
It is better to be slow to anger than to be a warrior and one who rules his spirit is stronger than one who conquers a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
The lots are cast into the lap, but the decision is from Yahweh.
