Proverbs 16
1 Human beings may make plans in their minds, but the final decision is the Lord's.
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their intentions.
All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
3 Trust whatever you do to the Lord, and your plans will be successful.
Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
4 The Lord has a purpose in everything he does, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
5 The Lord hates the arrogant. You can be certain of this: the wicked won't go unpunished.
Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
6 Sin is forgiven through trustworthy love and faithfulness; by honoring the Lord people are saved 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 way that people live pleases the Lord, he makes even their enemies be at peace with them.
When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
8 Better to have just a little and be honest than to have a lot and be dishonest.
Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
9 You can plan in your mind what to do, but the Lord will guide you.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
10 The king is inspired in what he says; he is not unreliable in his decisions.
A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
11 Accurate scales and balances are important to the Lord. He has determined all the weights in the bag.
Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
12 It's a terrible thing for a king to do evil, for his throne is based on doing right.
Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
13 People who tell the truth please kings; they love those who say what is right.
Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
14 An angry king can put you to death. If you're wise you'll try and calm him down.
The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15 If the king is smiling, you'll live; his blessing is like the clouds that bring spring rain.
When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 Far better to get wisdom than gold; far better to choose knowledge than silver.
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
17 The highway of the good leads away from evil. If you watch where you're going you'll save your life.
The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
18 Pride leads to destruction; and an arrogant spirit leads to a fall.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to have a humble spirit and live with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 If you pay attention to wise instruction you will do well; you'll be happy if you trust in the Lord.
Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
21 If you think wisely you'll be called perceptive; if you speak pleasantly you'll be persuasive.
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
22 If you have good sense it will be a fountain of life to you, but stupid people are punished by their stupidity.
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 A wise mind makes sure to say sensible things; the words spoken are persuasive.
The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Kind words are like a honeycomb—they taste sweet and are healthy for the body.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There's a way that seems to be right, but in the end it's the way of death.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
26 A good appetite helps workers—hunger encourages them.
A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
27 Worthless people plot evil and their words burn like fire.
A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 Quarrelsome people cause conflict, and a gossip comes between the closest friends.
A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
29 Violent people lure their friends, and lead them in a direction that's not good for them.
A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
30 People who give you a sly wink are plotting bad things; they purse their lips and make evil happen.
He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
31 Gray hair is a glorious crown; it's achieved by living right.
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
32 Better to be slow to anger than to be powerful, better to have self-control than to conquer a town.
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 thrown into the lap, but the Lord makes every decision.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
