Proverbs 16
1 The preparations of the heart are in man: but the answere of the tongue is of the Lord.
2 All the wayes of a man are cleane in his owne eyes: but the Lord pondereth the spirits.
All the works of the humble [man] are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.
3 Commit thy workes vnto the Lord, and thy thoughts shalbe directed.
4 The Lord hath made all things for his owne sake: yea, euen the wicked for the day of euill.
5 All that are proude in heart, are an abomination to the Lord: though hand ioyne in hand, he shall not be vnpunished.
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 By mercy and trueth iniquitie shalbe forgiuen, and by the feare of the Lord they depart from euill.
7 When the wayes of a man please the Lord, he will make also his enemies at peace with him.
8 Better is a litle with righteousnesse, then great reuenues without equitie.
9 The heart of man purposeth his way: but the Lord doeth direct his steppes.
10 A diuine sentence shalbe in the lips of the King: his mouth shall not transgresse in iudgement.
[There is] an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgement.
11 A true weight and balance are of the Lord: all the weightes of the bagge are his worke.
The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.
12 It is an abomination to Kings to commit wickednes: for the throne is stablished by iustice.
An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delite of Kings, and the King loueth him that speaketh right things.
Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.
14 The wrath of a King is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacifie it.
The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.
15 In the light of the Kings coutenance is life: and his fauour is as a cloude of the latter raine.
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 Howe much better is it to get wisedome then golde? and to get vnderstanding, is more to be desired then siluer.
The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen than silver.
17 The pathe of the righteous is to decline from euil, and hee keepeth his soule, that keepeth his way.
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 goeth before destruction, and an high minde before the fall.
Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.
19 Better it is to be of humble minde with the lowly, then to deuide the spoyles with the proude.
Better is a meek-spirited [man] with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud.
20 He that is wise in his busines, shall finde good: and he that trusteth in the Lord, he is blessed.
[He who is] skilful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.
21 The wise in heart shall bee called prudent: and the sweetenesse of the lippes shall increase doctrine.
[Men] call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.
22 Vnderstading is welspring of life vnto them that haue it: and the instruction of fooles is folly.
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.
23 The heart of the wise guideth his mouth wisely, and addeth doctrine to his lippes.
The heart of the wise will discern the [things which proceed] from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.
24 Faire wordes are as an hony combe, sweetenesse to the soule, and health to the bones.
Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.
25 There is a way that seemeth right vnto man: but the issue thereof are the wayes 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 The person that traueileth, traueileth for himselfe: for his mouth craueth it of him.
A man who labours, labours for himself, and drives from [him] his own ruin.
27 A wicked man diggeth vp euill, and in his lippes is like burning 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 A frowarde person soweth strife: and a tale teller maketh diuision among princes.
A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.
29 A wicked man deceiueth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
A transgressor tries [to ensnare] friends, and leads them in ways [that are] not good.
30 He shutteth his eyes to deuise wickednes: he moueth his lippes, and bringeth euil to passe.
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 Age is a crowne of glory, when it is founde in the way of righteousnes.
Old age is a crown of honour, but it is found in the ways of righteousness.
32 He that is slowe vnto anger, is better then the mightie man: and hee that ruleth his owne minde, is better then he that winneth a citie.
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 cast into the lap: but the whole disposition thereof is of the Lord.
All [evils] come upon the ungodly into [their] bosoms; but all righteous things [come] of the Lord.
