Proverbs 16
1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, [is] from the LORD.
It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to govern the tongue.
2 All the ways of a man [are] clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of spirits.
3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed.
4 The LORD hath made all [things] for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day.
5 Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice; and this is more acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD [men] depart from evil.
By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed: 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 ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.
8 Better [is] a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
Better is a little with justice, than great revenues with iniquity.
9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps.
10 A divine sentence [is] in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.
11 A just weight and balance [are] the LORD’s: all the weights of the bag [are] his work.
Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all the weights of the bag.
12 [It is] an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established by justice.
13 Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right things shall be loved.
14 The wrath of a king [is as] messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: and the wise man will pacify 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 cheerfulness of the king’s countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain.
16 How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver.
17 The highway of the upright [is] to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his way.
18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.
19 Better [it is to be] of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.
20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy [is] he.
The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is blessed.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words shall attain to greater things.
22 Understanding [is] a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools [is] folly.
Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness.
23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.
24 Pleasant words [are as] an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health 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 a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death.
26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it.
27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips [there is] as a burning fire.
The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.
28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way [that is] not good.
An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way that is not good.
30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth: evil to pass.
31 The hoary head [is] a crown of glory, [if] it be found in the way of righteousness.
Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.
32 [He that is] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the LORD.
Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.
