Proverbs 16
1 The designs of the heart are man's, but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord.
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 All a man's ways are clean to himself; but the Lord puts men's spirits into his scales.
All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
3 Put your works into the hands of the Lord, and your purposes will be made certain.
Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
4 The Lord has made everything for his purpose, even the sinner for the day of evil.
The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
5 Everyone who has pride in his heart is disgusting to the Lord: he will certainly not go free from punishment.
Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
6 By mercy and good faith evil-doing is taken away: and by the fear of the Lord men are turned away from evil.
By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.
7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his haters be at peace with him.
When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great wealth with wrongdoing.
Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
9 A man may make designs for his way, but the Lord is the guide of his steps.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
10 Decision is in the lips of the king: his mouth will not go wrong in judging.
A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
11 True measures and scales are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
12 Evil-doing is disgusting to kings: for the seat of the ruler is based on righteousness.
Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings; and he who says what is upright is dear to him.
Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
14 The wrath of the king is like those who give news of death, but a wise man will put peace in place of it.
The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of the king's face there is life; and his approval is like a cloud of spring rain.
When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get knowledge is more to be desired than silver.
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to be turned away from evil: he who takes care of his way will keep his soul.
The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a stiff spirit before a fall.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to have a gentle spirit with the poor, than to take part in the rewards of war with men of pride.
It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He who gives attention to the law of right will get good; and whoever puts his faith in the Lord is happy.
Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
21 The wise-hearted will be named men of good sense: and by pleasing words learning is increased.
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it; but the punishment of the foolish is their foolish behaviour.
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise man is the teacher of his mouth, and gives increased learning to his lips.
The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Pleasing words are like honey, sweet to the soul and new life to the bones.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way which seems straight before a man, but its end is the ways of death.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
26 The desire of the working man is working for him, for his need of food is driving him on.
A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
27 A good-for-nothing man is a designer of evil, and in his lips there is a burning fire.
A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A man of twisted purposes is a cause of fighting everywhere: and he who says evil secretly makes trouble between friends.
A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
29 A violent man puts desire of evil into his neighbour's mind, and makes him go in a way which is not good.
A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
30 He whose eyes are shut is a man of twisted purposes, and he who keeps his lips shut tight makes evil come about.
He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
31 The grey head is a crown of glory, if it is seen in the way of righteousness.
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
32 He who is slow to be angry is better than a man of war, and he who has control over his spirit than he who takes a town.
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.
33 A thing may be put to the decision of chance, but it comes about through the Lord.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
