Proverbs 16
1 Human beings may make plans in their minds, but the final decision is the Lord's.
Unto man belong the resolves of the heart; but from the Lord cometh the expression of the tongue.
2 People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their intentions.
Every one of the ways of a man is pure in his own eyes; but the Lord measureth the spirits.
3 Trust whatever you do to the Lord, and your plans will be successful.
Commit unto the Lord thy works, and thy plans will be firmly established.
4 The Lord has a purpose in everything he does, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
Every thing hath the Lord wrought for its destined end; yes, even the wicked for the day of unhappiness.
5 The Lord hates the arrogant. You can be certain of this: the wicked won't go unpunished.
An abomination of the Lord is every one that is proud of heart: the hand [of God] being against [his] hand, he shall not go unpunished.
6 Sin is forgiven through trustworthy love and faithfulness; by honoring the Lord people are saved from evil.
Through kindness and truth is iniquity atoned for; and by the fear of the Lord [men] depart from evil.
7 When the way that people live pleases the Lord, he makes even their enemies be at peace with them.
When the Lord receiveth in favor a man's ways, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better to have just a little and be honest than to have a lot and be dishonest.
Better is a little with righteousness, than great incomes through injustice.
9 You can plan in your mind what to do, but the Lord will guide you.
A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth firmly his steps.
10 The king is inspired in what he says; he is not unreliable in his decisions.
There should be a wise sentence on the lips of the king: his mouth should never commit a trespass in judging.
11 Accurate scales and balances are important to the Lord. He has determined all the weights in the bag.
A just balance and scales belong to the Lord: his work are all the weights in the bag.
12 It's a terrible thing for a king to do evil, for his throne is based on doing right.
It should be an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for through righteousness [alone] can a throne be established.
13 People who tell the truth please kings; they love those who say what is right.
Righteous lips [should obtain] the favor of kings; and him that speaketh uprightly should they love.
14 An angry king can put you to death. If you're wise you'll try and calm him down.
The fury of a king is like the messengers of death; but a wise man will appease it.
15 If the king is smiling, you'll live; his blessing is like the clouds that bring spring rain.
In the light of the king's countenance there is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 Far better to get wisdom than gold; far better to choose knowledge than silver.
How much better is it to obtain wisdom than gold! and to obtain understanding is preferable to 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 is to depart from evil: he preserveth his soul that watcheth his way.
18 Pride leads to destruction; and an arrogant spirit leads to a fall.
Before downfall [goeth] pride, and before stumbling, haughtiness of spirit.
19 Better to have a humble spirit and live with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide 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.
He that reflecteth on a matter wisely will find happiness; and whoso trusteth in the Lord—happiness attend him!
21 If you think wisely you'll be called perceptive; if you speak pleasantly you'll be persuasive.
The wise in heart is called a man of understanding; and the sweetness of the lips increaseth information.
22 If you have good sense it will be a fountain of life to you, but stupid people are punished by their stupidity.
Intelligence is a source of life unto its possessor; but the correction of fools is folly.
23 A wise mind makes sure to say sensible things; the words spoken are persuasive.
The heart of the wise maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips he increaseth information.
24 Kind words are like a honeycomb—they taste sweet and are healthy for the body.
[Like] the droppings of honey are pleasant sayings, 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 many a way which seemeth even before a man, but its end are the ways unto death.
26 A good appetite helps workers—hunger encourages them.
The desire of the laborer laboreth for him; for his mouth imposeth it on him.
27 Worthless people plot evil and their words burn like fire.
An ungodly man diggeth up mischief, and on his lips there is as it were a scathing fire.
28 Quarrelsome people cause conflict, and a gossip comes between the closest friends.
A perverse man scattereth strife; and a whisperer separateth confident friends.
29 Violent people lure their friends, and lead them in a direction that's not good for them.
The man of violence misleadeth his neighbor, and maketh him go on a way which is not good.
30 People who give you a sly wink are plotting bad things; they purse their lips and make evil happen.
He shutteth his eyes to devise perverse things: when he compresseth his lips then hath he fully resolved on evil.
31 Gray hair is a glorious crown; it's achieved by living right.
An ornamental crown is the hoary head, on the way of righteousness can it be found.
32 Better to be slow to anger than to be powerful, better to have self-control than to conquer a town.
One that is slow to anger is better than a hero; and he that ruleth his spirit, than the conqueror of a city.
33 The lot is thrown into the lap, but the Lord makes every decision.
In the lap the lot is cast: but from the Lord cometh the whole of its decision.
