Proverbs 16
1 The designs of the heart are man's, but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord.
Human beings may make plans in their minds, but the final decision is the Lord's.
2 All a man's ways are clean to himself; but the Lord puts men's spirits into his scales.
People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their intentions.
3 Put your works into the hands of the Lord, and your purposes will be made certain.
Trust whatever you do to the Lord, and your plans will be successful.
4 The Lord has made everything for his purpose, even the sinner for the day of evil.
The Lord has a purpose in everything he does, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who has pride in his heart is disgusting to the Lord: he will certainly not go free from punishment.
The Lord hates the arrogant. You can be certain of this: the wicked won't 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.
Sin is forgiven through trustworthy love and faithfulness; by honoring the Lord people are saved from evil.
7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his haters be at peace with him.
When the way that people live pleases the Lord, he makes even their enemies be at peace with them.
8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great wealth with wrongdoing.
Better to have just a little and be honest than to have a lot and be dishonest.
9 A man may make designs for his way, but the Lord is the guide of his steps.
You can plan in your mind what to do, but the Lord will guide you.
10 Decision is in the lips of the king: his mouth will not go wrong in judging.
The king is inspired in what he says; he is not unreliable in his decisions.
11 True measures and scales are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
Accurate scales and balances are important to the Lord. He has determined all the weights in the bag.
12 Evil-doing is disgusting to kings: for the seat of the ruler is based on righteousness.
It's a terrible thing for a king to do evil, for his throne is based on doing right.
13 Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings; and he who says what is upright is dear to him.
People who tell the truth please kings; they love those who say what is right.
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.
An angry king can put you to death. If you're wise you'll try and calm him down.
15 In the light of the king's face there is life; and his approval is like a cloud of spring rain.
If the king is smiling, you'll live; his blessing is like the clouds that bring spring rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get knowledge is more to be desired than silver.
Far better to get wisdom than gold; far better to choose knowledge 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 good leads away from evil. If you watch where you're going you'll save your life.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a stiff spirit before a fall.
Pride leads to destruction; and an arrogant spirit leads to 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.
Better to have a humble spirit and live with the poor than to share plunder 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.
If you pay attention to wise instruction you will do well; you'll be happy if you trust in the Lord.
21 The wise-hearted will be named men of good sense: and by pleasing words learning is increased.
If you think wisely you'll be called perceptive; if you speak pleasantly you'll be persuasive.
22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it; but the punishment of the foolish is their foolish behaviour.
If you have good sense it will be a fountain of life to you, but stupid people are punished by their stupidity.
23 The heart of the wise man is the teacher of his mouth, and gives increased learning to his lips.
A wise mind makes sure to say sensible things; the words spoken are persuasive.
24 Pleasing words are like honey, sweet to the soul and new life to the bones.
Kind words are like a honeycomb—they taste sweet and are healthy for the body.
25 There is a way which seems straight before a man, but its end is the ways of death.
There's a way that seems to be right, but in the end it's 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 good appetite helps workers—hunger encourages them.
27 A good-for-nothing man is a designer of evil, and in his lips there is a burning fire.
Worthless people plot evil and their words burn like fire.
28 A man of twisted purposes is a cause of fighting everywhere: and he who says evil secretly makes trouble between friends.
Quarrelsome people cause conflict, and a gossip comes between the closest 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.
Violent people lure their friends, and lead them in a direction that's not good for them.
30 He whose eyes are shut is a man of twisted purposes, and he who keeps his lips shut tight makes evil come about.
People who give you a sly wink are plotting bad things; they purse their lips and make evil happen.
31 The grey head is a crown of glory, if it is seen in the way of righteousness.
Gray hair is a glorious crown; it's achieved by living right.
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.
Better to be slow to anger than to be powerful, better to have self-control than to conquer a town.
33 A thing may be put to the decision of chance, but it comes about through the Lord.
The lot is thrown into the lap, but the Lord makes every decision.
