Proverbs 16
1 Human beings may make plans in their minds, but the final decision is the Lord's.
2 People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their intentions.
All the works of the humble [man] are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.
3 Trust whatever you do to the Lord, and your plans will be successful.
4 The Lord has a purpose in everything he does, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 The Lord hates the arrogant. You can be certain of this: the wicked won't go unpunished.
Every one that is proud in heart is unclean before God, and he that unjustly strikes hands with hand shall not be held guiltless. The beginning of a good way is to do justly; and it is more acceptable with God than to offer sacrifices. He that seeks the Lord shall find knowledge with righteousness: and they that rightly seek him shall find peace. All of the works of the Lord [are done] with righteousness; and the ungodly [man] is kept for the evil day.
6 Sin is forgiven through trustworthy love and faithfulness; by honoring the Lord people are saved from evil.
7 When the way that people live pleases the Lord, he makes even their enemies be at peace with them.
8 Better to have just a little and be honest than to have a lot and be dishonest.
9 You can plan in your mind what to do, but the Lord will guide you.
10 The king is inspired in what he says; he is not unreliable in his decisions.
[There is] an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgement.
11 Accurate scales and balances are important to the Lord. He has determined all the weights in the bag.
The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.
12 It's a terrible thing for a king to do evil, for his throne is based on doing right.
An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.
13 People who tell the truth please kings; they love those who say what is right.
Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.
14 An angry king can put you to death. If you're wise you'll try and calm him down.
The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.
15 If the king is smiling, you'll live; his blessing is like the clouds that bring spring rain.
The son of a king is in the light of life; and they that are in favour with him are as a cloud of latter rain.
16 Far better to get wisdom than gold; far better to choose knowledge than silver.
The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen 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 paths of life turn aside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are length of life. He that receives instruction shall be in prosperity; and he that regards reproofs shall be made wise. He that keeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he that loves his life will spare his mouth.
18 Pride leads to destruction; and an arrogant spirit leads to a fall.
Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.
19 Better to have a humble spirit and live with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
Better is a meek-spirited [man] with lowliness, than one who divides spoils 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.
[He who is] skilful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.
21 If you think wisely you'll be called perceptive; if you speak pleasantly you'll be persuasive.
[Men] call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.
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 possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.
23 A wise mind makes sure to say sensible things; the words spoken are persuasive.
The heart of the wise will discern the [things which proceed] from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.
24 Kind words are like a honeycomb—they taste sweet and are healthy for the body.
Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.
25 There's a way that seems to be right, but in the end it's the way of death.
There are ways that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of hell. (questioned)
26 A good appetite helps workers—hunger encourages them.
A man who labours, labours for himself, and drives from [him] his own ruin.
27 Worthless people plot evil and their words burn like fire.
But the perverse bears destruction upon his own mouth: a foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips.
28 Quarrelsome people cause conflict, and a gossip comes between the closest friends.
A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.
29 Violent people lure their friends, and lead them in a direction that's not good for them.
A transgressor tries [to ensnare] friends, and leads them in ways [that are] not good.
30 People who give you a sly wink are plotting bad things; they purse their lips and make evil happen.
And the man that fixes his eyes devises perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evil: he is a furnace of wickedness.
31 Gray hair is a glorious crown; it's achieved by living right.
Old age is a crown of honour, but it is found in the ways of righteousness.
32 Better to be slow to anger than to be powerful, better to have self-control than to conquer a town.
A man slow to anger is better than a strong [man]; and he that governs [his] temper better than he that takes a city.
33 The lot is thrown into the lap, but the Lord makes every decision.
All [evils] come upon the ungodly into [their] bosoms; but all righteous things [come] of the Lord.
