Proverbs 16
1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
Human beings may make plans in their minds, but the final decision is the Lord's.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weighs the spirits.
People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their intentions.
3 Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts shall be established.
Trust whatever you do to the Lord, and your plans will be successful.
4 The LORD has made all things for himself: yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
The Lord has a purpose in everything he does, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
The Lord hates the arrogant. You can be certain of this: the wicked won't go unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
Sin is forgiven through trustworthy love and faithfulness; by honoring the Lord people are saved from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be 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 little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
Better to have just a little and be honest than to have a lot and be dishonest.
9 A man’s heart devises his way: but the LORD directs his steps.
You can plan in your mind what to do, but the Lord will guide you.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresses not in judgment.
The king is inspired in what he says; he is not unreliable in his decisions.
11 A just weight and balance are the LORD’s: all the weights of the bag are his work.
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 wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
It's a terrible thing for a king to do evil, for his throne is based on doing right.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaks right.
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 pacify 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 king’s countenance is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
If the king is smiling, you'll live; his blessing is like the clouds that bring spring rain.
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Far better to get wisdom than gold; far better to choose knowledge than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keeps his way preserves his soul.
The highway of the good leads away from evil. If you watch where you're going you'll save your life.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride leads to destruction; and an arrogant spirit leads to a fall.
19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Better to have a humble spirit and live with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
20 He that handles a matter wisely shall find good: and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.
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 be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increases learning.
If you think wisely you'll be called perceptive; if you speak pleasantly you'll be persuasive.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him that has it: but the instruction of fools 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 teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
A wise mind makes sure to say sensible things; the words spoken are persuasive.
24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, 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 seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
There's a way that seems to be right, but in the end it's the way of death.
26 He that labors labors for himself; for his mouth craves it of him.
A good appetite helps workers—hunger encourages them.
27 An ungodly man digs up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
Worthless people plot evil and their words burn like fire.
28 A fraudulent man sows strife: and a whisperer separates chief friends.
Quarrelsome people cause conflict, and a gossip comes between the closest friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor, and leads 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 shuts his eyes to devise fraudulent things: moving his lips he brings evil to pass.
People who give you a sly wink are plotting bad things; they purse their lips and make evil happen.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
Gray hair is a glorious crown; it's achieved by living right.
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city.
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 disposing thereof is of the LORD.
The lot is thrown into the lap, but the Lord makes every decision.
