Proverbs 16
1 The purposes of the heart are of man, but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the spirits.
All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
3 Commit thy works unto Jehovah, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
4 Jehovah hath wrought everything on his own account, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
5 Every proud heart is an abomination to Jehovah: hand for hand, he shall not be held innocent.
Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
6 By loving-kindness and truth iniquity is atoned for; and by the fear of Jehovah [men] depart 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 please Jehovah, he maketh even his enemies to 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 revenues without right.
Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
9 The heart of man deviseth his way, but Jehovah directeth his steps.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
10 An oracle is on the lips of the king: his mouth will not err in judgment.
A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
11 The just balance and scales are Jehovah'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 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for the throne is established by righteousness.
Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him that speaketh aright.
Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
14 The fury of a king is [as] messengers of death; but a wise man will pacify 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 countenance is life, and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than fine gold, and the getting of intelligence to be preferred to 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 depart from evil: he that taketh heed to his way keepeth his soul.
The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the meek, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He that giveth heed to the word shall find good; and whoso confideth in Jehovah, happy is he.
Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
21 The wise in heart is called intelligent, and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
22 Wisdom is a fountain of life for him that hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly.
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips increaseth learning.
The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are [as] a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health for the bones.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof 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 appetite of the labourer laboureth for him, for his mouth urgeth him on.
A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
27 A man of Belial diggeth up evil, and on his lips there is as a scorching fire.
A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A false man soweth contention; and a talebearer separateth very friends.
A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into a way that is not good.
A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
30 He that shutteth his eyes, [it is] to devise froward things; biting his lips, he bringeth evil to pass.
He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, [if] it is found in the way of righteousness.
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
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 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole decision is of Jehovah.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
