Proverbs 16
The preparations of the heart belong to man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
2 All the works of the humble [man] are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
Commit thy works to the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Every one that is proud in heart is unclean before God, and he that unjustly strikes hands with hand shall not be held guiltless. The beginning of a good way is to do justly; and it is more acceptable with God than to offer sacrifices. He that seeks the Lord shall find knowledge with righteousness: and they that rightly seek him shall find peace. All of the works of the Lord [are done] with righteousness; and the ungodly [man] is kept for the evil day.
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
10 [There is] an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgement.
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11 The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.
A just weight and balance are the LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are his work.
12 An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
14 The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
15 The son of a king is in the light of life; and they that are in favour with him are as a cloud of latter rain.
In the light of a king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen than silver.
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17 The paths of life turn aside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are length of life. He that receives instruction shall be in prosperity; and he that regards reproofs shall be made wise. He that keeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he that loves his life will spare his mouth.
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better is a meek-spirited [man] with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud.
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 [He who is] skilful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoever trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
21 [Men] call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.
Understanding is a wellspring of life to him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise will discern the [things which proceed] from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24 Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There are ways that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of hell. (questioned)
There is a way that seemeth right to a man, but the end of it is the way of death.
26 A man who labours, labours for himself, and drives from [him] his own ruin.
He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
27 But the perverse bears destruction upon his own mouth: a foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips.
An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28 A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.
A perverse man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29 A transgressor tries [to ensnare] friends, and leads them in ways [that are] not good.
A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30 And the man that fixes his eyes devises perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evil: he is a furnace of wickedness.
He shutteth his eyes to devise perverse things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31 Old age is a crown of honour, but it is found in the ways of righteousness.
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.
32 A man slow to anger is better than a strong [man]; and he that governs [his] temper better than he that takes a city.
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33 All [evils] come upon the ungodly into [their] bosoms; but all righteous things [come] of the Lord.
The lot is cast into the lap; but its whole disposing is from the LORD.
