Proverbs 16
1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, [is] from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man [are] clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
All the works of the humble [man] are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.
3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4 The LORD hath made all [things] for himself: yea, even the wicked for the 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.
Every one that is proud in heart is unclean before God, and he that unjustly strikes hands with hand shall not be held guiltless. The beginning of a good way is to do justly; and it is more acceptable with God than to offer sacrifices. He that seeks the Lord shall find knowledge with righteousness: and they that rightly seek him shall find peace. All of the works of the Lord [are done] with righteousness; and the ungodly [man] is kept for the evil day.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: 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.
8 Better [is] a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
10 A divine sentence [is] in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
[There is] an oracle upon the lips of a king; and 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.
The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.
12 [It is] an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.
14 The wrath of a king [is as] messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.
15 In the light of the king’s countenance [is] life; and his favour [is] as a cloud of the latter rain.
The son of a king is in the light of life; and they that are in favor with him are as a cloud of latter rain.
16 How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen than silver.
17 The highway of the upright [is] to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
The paths of life turn aside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are length of life. He that receives instruction shall be in prosperity; and he that regards reproofs shall be made wise. He that keeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he that loves his life will spare his mouth.
18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.
19 Better [it is to be] of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Better is a meek-spirited [man] with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud.
20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy [is] he.
[He who is] skillful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
[Men] call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.
22 Understanding [is] a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools [is] folly.
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.
23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
The heart of the wise will discern the [things which proceed] from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.
24 Pleasant words [are as] an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.
25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.
There are ways that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of hell. (questioned)
26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
A man who labors, labors for himself, and drives from [him] his own ruin.
27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips [there is] as a burning fire.
But the perverse bears destruction upon his own mouth: a foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips.
28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way [that is] not good.
A transgressor tries [to ensnare] friends, and leads them in ways [that are] not good.
30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
And the man that fixes his eyes devises perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evil: he is a furnace of wickedness.
31 The hoary head [is] a crown of glory, [if] it be found in the way of righteousness.
Old age is a crown of honor, but it is found in the ways of righteousness.
32 [He that is] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
A man slow to anger is better than a strong [man]; and he that governs [his] temper better than he that takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the LORD.
All [evils] come upon the ungodly into [their] bosoms; but all righteous things [come] of the Lord.
