< Proverbs 16 >

1 The purposes of the heart are of man, but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.
Of man [are] arrangements of the heart, And from Jehovah an answer of the tongue.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the spirits.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering the spirits.
3 Commit thy works unto Jehovah, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Roll unto Jehovah thy works, And established are thy purposes,
4 Jehovah hath wrought everything on his own account, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
All things hath Jehovah wrought for Himself, And also the wicked [worketh] for a day of evil.
5 Every proud heart is an abomination to Jehovah: hand for hand, he shall not be held innocent.
An abomination to Jehovah [is] every proud one of heart, Hand to hand he is not acquitted.
6 By loving-kindness and truth iniquity is atoned for; and by the fear of Jehovah [men] depart from evil.
In kindness and truth pardoned is iniquity, And in the fear of Jehovah Turn thou 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 Jehovah, even his enemies, He causeth to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right.
Better [is] a little with righteousness, Than abundance of increase without justice.
9 The heart of man deviseth his way, but Jehovah directeth his steps.
The heart of man deviseth his way, And Jehovah establisheth his step.
10 An oracle is on the lips of the king: his mouth will not err in judgment.
An oath [is] on the lips of a king, In judgment his mouth trespasseth not.
11 The just balance and scales are Jehovah's; all the weights of the bag are his work.
A just beam and balances [are] Jehovah's, His work [are] all the stones of the bag.
12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for the throne is established by righteousness.
An abomination to kings [is] doing wickedness, For by righteousness is a throne established.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him that speaketh aright.
The delight of kings [are] righteous lips, And whoso is speaking uprightly he loveth,
14 The fury of a king is [as] messengers of death; but a wise man will pacify it.
The fury of a king [is] messengers of death, And a wise man pacifieth it.
15 In the light of the king's countenance is life, and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
In the light of a king's face [is] life, And his good-will [is] as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than fine gold, and the getting of intelligence to be preferred to silver!
To get wisdom — how much better than gold, And to get understanding to be chosen than silver!
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that taketh heed to his way keepeth his soul.
A highway of the upright [is], 'Turn from evil,' Whoso is preserving his soul is watching his way.
18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Before destruction [is] pride, And before stumbling — a haughty spirit.'
19 Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the meek, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Better is humility of spirit with the poor, Than to apportion spoil with the proud.
20 He that giveth heed to the word shall find good; and whoso confideth in Jehovah, happy is he.
The wise in any matter findeth good, And whoso is trusting in Jehovah, O his happiness.
21 The wise in heart is called intelligent, and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
To the wise in heart is called, 'Intelligent,' And sweetness of lips increaseth learning.
22 Wisdom is a fountain of life for him that hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly.
A fountain of life [is] understanding to its possessors, The instruction 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 causeth his mouth to act wisely, And by his lips he increaseth learning,
24 Pleasant words are [as] a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health for the bones.
Sayings of pleasantness [are] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone.
25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death.
There is a way right before a man, And its latter end — ways of death.
26 The appetite of the labourer laboureth for him, for his mouth urgeth him on.
A labouring man hath laboured for himself, For his mouth hath caused [him] to bend over it.
27 A man of Belial diggeth up evil, and on his lips there is as a scorching fire.
A worthless man is preparing evil, And on his lips — as a burning fire.
28 A false man soweth contention; and a talebearer separateth very friends.
A froward man sendeth forth contention, A tale-bearer is separating a familiar friend.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into a way that is not good.
A violent man enticeth his neighbour, And hath causeth him to go in a way not good.
30 He that shutteth his eyes, [it is] to devise froward things; biting his lips, he bringeth evil to pass.
Consulting his eyes to devise froward things, Moving his lips he hath accomplished evil.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, [if] it is found in the way of righteousness.
A crown of beauty [are] grey hairs, In the way of righteousness it is found.
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Better [is] the slow to anger than the mighty, And the ruler over his spirit than he who is taking a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole decision is of Jehovah.
Into the centre is the lot cast, And from Jehovah [is] all its judgment!

< Proverbs 16 >