Proverbs 16
1 It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to govern the tongue.
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 open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of spirits.
All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
3 Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed.
Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
4 The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day.
The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
5 Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice; and this is more acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices.
Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed: and by the fear of the Lord 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 the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.
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 justice, than great revenues with iniquity.
Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
9 The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
10 Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.
A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
11 Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all the weights of the bag.
Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
12 They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established by justice.
Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right things shall be loved.
Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: and the 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 cheerfulness of the king’s countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain.
When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver.
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
17 The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his way.
The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
18 Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.
It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is blessed.
Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words shall attain to greater things.
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
22 Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness.
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.
The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
26 The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it.
A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
27 The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.
A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes.
A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
29 An unjust man allureth his friend: 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 with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth: evil to pass.
He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
31 Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
32 The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities.
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 Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
