Proverbs 16
1 It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to govern the tongue.
Human beings may make plans in their minds, but the final decision is the Lord's.
2 All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of spirits.
People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their intentions.
3 Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed.
Trust whatever you do to the Lord, and your plans will be successful.
4 The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day.
The Lord has a purpose in everything he does, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
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.
The Lord hates the arrogant. You can be certain of this: the wicked won't go unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
Sin is forgiven through trustworthy love and faithfulness; by honoring the Lord people are saved from evil.
7 When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.
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 justice, than great revenues with iniquity.
Better to have just a little and be honest than to have a lot and be dishonest.
9 The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps.
You can plan in your mind what to do, but the Lord will guide you.
10 Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.
The king is inspired in what he says; he is not unreliable in his decisions.
11 Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all the weights of the bag.
Accurate scales and balances are important to the Lord. He has determined all the weights in the bag.
12 They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established by justice.
It's a terrible thing for a king to do evil, for his throne is based on doing right.
13 Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right things shall be loved.
People who tell the truth please kings; they love those who say what is right.
14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: and the wise man will pacify it.
An angry king can put you to death. If you're wise you'll try and calm him down.
15 In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain.
If the king is smiling, you'll live; his blessing is like the clouds that bring spring rain.
16 Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver.
Far better to get wisdom than gold; far better to choose knowledge than silver.
17 The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his way.
The highway of the good leads away from evil. If you watch where you're going you'll save your life.
18 Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.
Pride leads to destruction; and an arrogant spirit leads to a fall.
19 It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.
Better to have a humble spirit and live with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
20 The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is blessed.
If you pay attention to wise instruction you will do well; you'll be happy if you trust in the Lord.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words shall attain to greater things.
If you think wisely you'll be called perceptive; if you speak pleasantly you'll be persuasive.
22 Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness.
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 shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.
A wise mind makes sure to say sensible things; the words spoken are persuasive.
24 Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Kind words are like a honeycomb—they taste sweet and are healthy for the body.
25 There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death.
There's a way that seems to be right, but in the end it's the way of death.
26 The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it.
A good appetite helps workers—hunger encourages them.
27 The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.
Worthless people plot evil and their words burn like fire.
28 A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes.
Quarrelsome people cause conflict, and a gossip comes between the closest friends.
29 An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way that is not good.
Violent people lure their friends, and lead them in a direction that's not good for them.
30 He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth: evil to pass.
People who give you a sly wink are plotting bad things; they purse their lips and make evil happen.
31 Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.
Gray hair is a glorious crown; it's achieved by living right.
32 The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities.
Better to be slow to anger than to be powerful, better to have self-control than to conquer a town.
33 Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.
The lot is thrown into the lap, but the Lord makes every decision.
