Proverbs 16
1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
Of man [are] arrangements of the heart, And from Jehovah an answer of the tongue.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weighs the spirits.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering the spirits.
3 Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts shall be established.
Roll unto Jehovah thy works, And established are thy purposes,
4 The LORD has made all things for himself: yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
All things hath Jehovah wrought for Himself, And also the wicked [worketh] for a day of evil.
5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
An abomination to Jehovah [is] every proud one of heart, Hand to hand he is not acquitted.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
In kindness and truth pardoned is iniquity, And in the fear of Jehovah Turn thou aside from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
When a man's ways please Jehovah, even his enemies, He causeth to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
Better [is] a little with righteousness, Than abundance of increase without justice.
9 A man’s heart devises his way: but the LORD directs his steps.
The heart of man deviseth his way, And Jehovah establisheth his step.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresses not in judgment.
An oath [is] on the lips of a king, In judgment his mouth trespasseth not.
11 A just weight and balance are the LORD’s: all the weights of the bag are his work.
A just beam and balances [are] Jehovah's, His work [are] all the stones of the bag.
12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
An abomination to kings [is] doing wickedness, For by righteousness is a throne established.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaks right.
The delight of kings [are] righteous lips, And whoso is speaking uprightly he loveth,
14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
The fury of a king [is] messengers of death, And a wise man pacifieth it.
15 In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
In the light of a king's face [is] life, And his good-will [is] as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
To get wisdom — how much better than gold, And to get understanding to be chosen than silver!
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keeps his way preserves his soul.
A highway of the upright [is], 'Turn from evil,' Whoso is preserving his soul is watching his way.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Before destruction [is] pride, And before stumbling — a haughty spirit.'
19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Better is humility of spirit with the poor, Than to apportion spoil with the proud.
20 He that handles a matter wisely shall find good: and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.
The wise in any matter findeth good, And whoso is trusting in Jehovah, O his happiness.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increases learning.
To the wise in heart is called, 'Intelligent,' And sweetness of lips increaseth learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him that has it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
A fountain of life [is] understanding to its possessors, The instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
The heart of the wise causeth his mouth to act wisely, And by his lips he increaseth learning,
24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Sayings of pleasantness [are] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
There is a way right before a man, And its latter end — ways of death.
26 He that labors labors for himself; for his mouth craves it of him.
A labouring man hath laboured for himself, For his mouth hath caused [him] to bend over it.
27 An ungodly man digs up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
A worthless man is preparing evil, And on his lips — as a burning fire.
28 A fraudulent man sows strife: and a whisperer separates chief friends.
A froward man sendeth forth contention, A tale-bearer is separating a familiar friend.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor, and leads him into the way that is not good.
A violent man enticeth his neighbour, And hath causeth him to go in a way not good.
30 He shuts his eyes to devise fraudulent things: moving his lips he brings evil to pass.
Consulting his eyes to devise froward things, Moving his lips he hath accomplished evil.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
A crown of beauty [are] grey hairs, In the way of righteousness it is found.
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 [is] the slow to anger than the mighty, And the ruler over his spirit than he who is taking a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
Into the centre is the lot cast, And from Jehovah [is] all its judgment!
