Proverbs 16
1 The preparations of the heart are in man: but the answere of the tongue is of the Lord.
Human beings may make plans in their minds, but the final decision is the Lord's.
2 All the wayes of a man are cleane in his owne eyes: but the Lord pondereth the spirits.
People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their intentions.
3 Commit thy workes vnto the Lord, and thy thoughts shalbe directed.
Trust whatever you do to the Lord, and your plans will be successful.
4 The Lord hath made all things for his owne sake: yea, euen the wicked for the day of euill.
The Lord has a purpose in everything he does, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 All that are proude in heart, are an abomination to the Lord: though hand ioyne in hand, he shall not be vnpunished.
The Lord hates the arrogant. You can be certain of this: the wicked won't go unpunished.
6 By mercy and trueth iniquitie shalbe forgiuen, and by the feare of the Lord they depart from euill.
Sin is forgiven through trustworthy love and faithfulness; by honoring the Lord people are saved from evil.
7 When the wayes of a man please the Lord, he will make also his enemies at peace with him.
When the way that people live pleases the Lord, he makes even their enemies be at peace with them.
8 Better is a litle with righteousnesse, then great reuenues without equitie.
Better to have just a little and be honest than to have a lot and be dishonest.
9 The heart of man purposeth his way: but the Lord doeth direct his steppes.
You can plan in your mind what to do, but the Lord will guide you.
10 A diuine sentence shalbe in the lips of the King: his mouth shall not transgresse in iudgement.
The king is inspired in what he says; he is not unreliable in his decisions.
11 A true weight and balance are of the Lord: all the weightes of the bagge are his worke.
Accurate scales and balances are important to the Lord. He has determined all the weights in the bag.
12 It is an abomination to Kings to commit wickednes: for the throne is stablished by iustice.
It's a terrible thing for a king to do evil, for his throne is based on doing right.
13 Righteous lips are the delite of Kings, and the King loueth him that speaketh right things.
People who tell the truth please kings; they love those who say what is right.
14 The wrath of a King is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacifie it.
An angry king can put you to death. If you're wise you'll try and calm him down.
15 In the light of the Kings coutenance is life: and his fauour is as a cloude of the latter raine.
If the king is smiling, you'll live; his blessing is like the clouds that bring spring rain.
16 Howe much better is it to get wisedome then golde? and to get vnderstanding, is more to be desired then siluer.
Far better to get wisdom than gold; far better to choose knowledge than silver.
17 The pathe of the righteous is to decline from euil, and hee keepeth his soule, that keepeth his way.
The highway of the good leads away from evil. If you watch where you're going you'll save your life.
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an high minde before the fall.
Pride leads to destruction; and an arrogant spirit leads to a fall.
19 Better it is to be of humble minde with the lowly, then to deuide the spoyles with the proude.
Better to have a humble spirit and live with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
20 He that is wise in his busines, shall finde good: and he that trusteth in the Lord, he is blessed.
If you pay attention to wise instruction you will do well; you'll be happy if you trust in the Lord.
21 The wise in heart shall bee called prudent: and the sweetenesse of the lippes shall increase doctrine.
If you think wisely you'll be called perceptive; if you speak pleasantly you'll be persuasive.
22 Vnderstading is welspring of life vnto them that haue it: and the instruction of fooles is folly.
If you have good sense it will be a fountain of life to you, but stupid people are punished by their stupidity.
23 The heart of the wise guideth his mouth wisely, and addeth doctrine to his lippes.
A wise mind makes sure to say sensible things; the words spoken are persuasive.
24 Faire wordes are as an hony combe, sweetenesse to the soule, and health to the bones.
Kind words are like a honeycomb—they taste sweet and are healthy for the body.
25 There is a way that seemeth right vnto man: but the issue thereof are the wayes of death.
There's a way that seems to be right, but in the end it's the way of death.
26 The person that traueileth, traueileth for himselfe: for his mouth craueth it of him.
A good appetite helps workers—hunger encourages them.
27 A wicked man diggeth vp euill, and in his lippes is like burning fire.
Worthless people plot evil and their words burn like fire.
28 A frowarde person soweth strife: and a tale teller maketh diuision among princes.
Quarrelsome people cause conflict, and a gossip comes between the closest friends.
29 A wicked man deceiueth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
Violent people lure their friends, and lead them in a direction that's not good for them.
30 He shutteth his eyes to deuise wickednes: he moueth his lippes, and bringeth euil to passe.
People who give you a sly wink are plotting bad things; they purse their lips and make evil happen.
31 Age is a crowne of glory, when it is founde in the way of righteousnes.
Gray hair is a glorious crown; it's achieved by living right.
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.
Better to be slow to anger than to be powerful, better to have self-control than to conquer a town.
33 The lot is cast into the lap: but the whole disposition thereof is of the Lord.
The lot is thrown into the lap, but the Lord makes every decision.
