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 answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their intentions.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weighs the motives.
3 Trust whatever you do to the Lord, and your plans will be successful.
Entrust your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.
4 The Lord has a purpose in everything he does, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
The LORD has made everything for its own end—yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
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 an abomination to the LORD: they shall certainly not be unpunished.
6 Sin is forgiven through trustworthy love and faithfulness; by honoring the Lord people are saved from evil.
By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. 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 a man's ways please the LORD, he makes 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 revenues 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 directs his steps.
10 The king is inspired in what he says; he is not unreliable in his decisions.
Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
11 Accurate scales and balances are important to the Lord. He has determined all the weights in the bag.
Honest balances and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It's a terrible thing for a king to do evil, for his throne is based on doing right.
It is an abomination to kings to do wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 People who tell the truth please kings; they love those who say what is right.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
14 An angry king can put you to death. If you're wise you'll try and calm him down.
The king's wrath 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.
In the light of the king's face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
16 Far better to get wisdom than gold; far better to choose knowledge than silver.
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather 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 is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
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 of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder 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 heeds the word finds prosperity, 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 shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips 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 one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
23 A wise mind makes sure to say sensible things; the words spoken are persuasive.
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning 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 health 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 which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
26 A good appetite helps workers—hunger encourages them.
The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.
27 Worthless people plot evil and their words burn like fire.
A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
28 Quarrelsome people cause conflict, and a gossip comes between the closest friends.
A perverse man stirs up strife, and a gossip separates close friends.
29 Violent people lure their friends, and lead them in a direction that's not good for them.
A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 People who give you a sly wink are plotting bad things; they purse their lips and make evil happen.
One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses 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 found in 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.
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes 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.
