Proverbs 16
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 All the works of the humble [man] are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.
All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
5 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.
Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.
When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
10 [There is] an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgment.
A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
11 The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.
Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
12 An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.
Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.
Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
14 The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.
The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15 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.
When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen than silver.
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
17 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.
The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better is a meek-spirited [man] with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud.
It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 [He who is] skillful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.
Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
21 [Men] call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise will discern the [things which proceed] from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.
The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There are ways that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of hell. (questioned)
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
26 A man who labors, labors for himself, and drives from [him] his own ruin.
A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
27 But the perverse bears destruction upon his own mouth: a foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips.
A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.
A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
29 A transgressor tries [to ensnare] friends, and leads them in ways [that are] not good.
A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
30 And the man that fixes his eyes devises perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evil: he is a furnace of wickedness.
He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
31 Old age is a crown of honor, but it is found in the ways of righteousness.
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
32 A man slow to anger is better than a strong [man]; and he that governs [his] temper better than he that takes a city.
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
33 All [evils] come upon the ungodly into [their] bosoms; but all righteous things [come] of the Lord.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
