Proverbs 16
1 THE preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.
Unto man belong the resolves of the heart; but from the Lord cometh the expression of the tongue.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.
Every one of the ways of a man is pure in his own eyes; but the Lord measureth the spirits.
3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Commit unto the Lord thy works, and thy plans will be firmly established.
4 The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Every thing hath the Lord wrought for its destined end; yes, even the wicked for the day of unhappiness.
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 of the Lord is every one that is proud of heart: the hand [of God] being against [his] hand, he shall not go unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
Through kindness and truth is iniquity atoned for; and by the fear of the Lord [men] depart from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
When the Lord receiveth in favor a man's ways, he maketh even his enemies 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 great incomes through injustice.
9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth firmly his steps.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
There should be a wise sentence on the lips of the king: his mouth should never commit a trespass in judging.
11 A just weight and balance are the Lord’s: all the weights of the bag are his work.
A just balance and scales belong to the Lord: his work are all the weights in the bag.
12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
It should be an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for through righteousness [alone] can a throne be established.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
Righteous lips [should obtain] the favor of kings; and him that speaketh uprightly should they love.
14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
The fury of a king is like the messengers of death; but a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
In the light of the king's countenance there is life; and his favor 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!
How much better is it to obtain wisdom than gold! and to obtain understanding is preferable to silver!
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he preserveth his soul that watcheth his way.
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Before downfall [goeth] pride, and before stumbling, haughtiness of spirit.
19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide spoil with the proud.
20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
He that reflecteth on a matter wisely will find happiness; and whoso trusteth in the Lord—happiness attend him!
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
The wise in heart is called a man of understanding; and the sweetness of the lips increaseth information.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
Intelligence is a source of life unto its possessor; but the correction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
The heart of the wise maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips he increaseth information.
24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
[Like] the droppings of honey are pleasant sayings, sweet to the soul, and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
There is many a way which seemeth even before a man, but its end are the ways unto death.
26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
The desire of the laborer laboreth for him; for his mouth imposeth it on him.
27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
An ungodly man diggeth up mischief, and on his lips there is as it were a scathing fire.
28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
A perverse man scattereth strife; and a whisperer separateth confident friends.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
The man of violence misleadeth his neighbor, and maketh him go on a way which is not good.
30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
He shutteth his eyes to devise perverse things: when he compresseth his lips then hath he fully resolved on evil.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
An ornamental crown is the hoary head, on the way of righteousness can it be found.
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
One that is slow to anger is better than a hero; and he that ruleth his spirit, than the conqueror of a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
In the lap the lot is cast: but from the Lord cometh the whole of its decision.
