Proverbs 16
It is for man to prepare the soul, and for the Lord to govern the tongue.
2 All the works of the humble [man] are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.
All the ways of a man are open to his eyes; the Lord is the one who weighs spirits.
Open your works to the Lord, and your intentions will be set in order.
The Lord has wrought all things because of himself. Likewise the impious is for the evil day.
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.
All the arrogant are an abomination to the Lord. Even if hand will 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 immolate sacrifices.
By mercy and truth, iniquity is redeemed. And by the fear of the Lord, one turns away from evil.
When the ways of man will please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.
Better is a little with justice, than many fruits with iniquity.
The heart of man disposes his way. But it is for Lord to direct his steps.
10 [There is] an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgment.
Foreknowledge is in the lips of the king. His mouth shall not err in judgment.
11 The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.
Weights and scales are judgments of the Lord. And all the stones in the bag are his work.
12 An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.
Those who act impiously are abominable to the king. For the throne is made firm by justice.
13 Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.
Just lips are the will of kings. He who speaks honestly shall be loved.
14 The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.
The indignation of a king is a herald of death. And the wise man will appease 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.
In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance, there is life. And his clemency is like belated rain.
16 The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen than silver.
Possess wisdom, for it is better than gold. And acquire prudence, for it is more precious 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 path of the just turns away from evils. He who guards his soul preserves his way.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.
Arrogance precedes destruction. And the spirit is exalted 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 humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the arrogant.
20 [He who is] skillful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.
The learned in word shall find good things. And whoever hopes in the Lord is blessed.
21 [Men] call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.
Whoever is wise in heart shall be called prudent. And whoever is sweet in eloquence shall attain to what is greater.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.
Learning is a fountain of life to one who possesses it. The doctrine of the foolish is senseless.
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 shall instruct his mouth and add grace to his lips.
24 Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.
Careful words are a honeycomb: sweet to the soul and healthful 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 which seems right to a man, and its end result leads to death.
26 A man who labors, labors for himself, and drives from [him] his own ruin.
The soul of the laborer labors for himself, because his mouth has driven him to it.
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.
The impious man digs up evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.
28 A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.
A perverse man stirs up lawsuits. And one who is verbose divides leaders.
29 A transgressor tries [to ensnare] friends, and leads them in ways [that are] not good.
A man of iniquity entices his friend, and he leads him along a way 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.
Whoever, with astonished eyes, thinks up depravities, biting his lips, accomplishes evil.
31 Old age is a crown of honor, but it is found in the ways of righteousness.
Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.
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.
A patient man is better than a strong one. And whoever rules his soul is better than one who assaults cities.
33 All [evils] come upon the ungodly into [their] bosoms; but all righteous things [come] of the Lord.
Lots are cast into the lap, but they are tempered by the Lord.
