Proverbs 16
People plan what they want to do, but Yahweh is the one who decides [MTY] what really will happen.
2 All the works of the humble [man] are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.
People may think that their actions are right, but Yahweh really knows why people do what they do.
(Request/Rely on) Yahweh to direct what you plan to do; [if you do that], you will succeed in what you plan.
Yahweh knows why he does everything that he does; he has even prepared the wicked for the time that he will punish them.
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.
Yahweh hates/detests everyone who is proud [IDM]; you can be certain [IDM] that they will be punished [LIT].
Be loyal to Yahweh and faithfully [obey] him; if you do that, he will forgive you for having sinned. If we revere him, nothing evil will happen to us (OR, he will prevent evil things from happening to us).
When our behavior pleases Yahweh, he even causes our enemies to act peacefully toward us.
It is better to have a small amount of money that is earned honestly than to have a lot of money that is acquired dishonestly.
People plan what they want to do, but Yahweh directs/determines what they will [really] be able to do.
10 [There is] an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgment.
[If] God directs what a king says, what he decides is [always] right/fair.
11 The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.
Yahweh wants us to use scales that are correct; the weights in his bag are correct, [because] he made them.
12 An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.
Kings detest those who do evil, because [it is people doing what] is fair/right that causes their governments to be [MTY] strong.
13 Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.
Kings are delighted to hear people say [MTY] what is true; they love those who say what is right/honest.
14 The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.
If a king becomes angry, he [may] command that someone be executed, [so] wise people will [try to] cause him to be calm.
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.
If a king has a smile [MTY] on his face, he will enable people to have a [long] life (OR, he will not order people to be executed); his being pleased [with people] is [as delightful] as rain in the springtime [when seeds are planted].
16 The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen than silver.
Becoming wise is better than aquiring gold; getting good understanding/insight is better than acquiring 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.
Those whose behavior [MET] is good/right turn away from doing evil; those who guard their conduct [MTY] protect their lives.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.
Being proud will (lead to your having/cause you to have) disasters; despising others will result in your being ruined.
19 Better is a meek-spirited [man] with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud.
It is better to be humble and poor than [to associate with] proud [people] and [to become rich by] dividing with them (plunder/goods captured in a battle).
20 [He who is] skillful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.
Those who heed good teaching/instruction will prosper; happy are those who trust in Yahweh.
21 [Men] call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.
People say that those who are wise learn what is right/good behavior, and those who talk pleasantly [are able to] influence others [to do what is right].
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.
Being wise is [like having] a fountain that gives life [MET], but foolish people are punished as a result of their acting foolishly.
23 The heart of the wise will discern the [things which proceed] from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.
Those who are wise think carefully before they talk, and as a result they are able to influence/persuade others [to do what is right].
24 Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.
Kind words are like honey [SIM]: We enjoy them both, and both cause our bodies to be healthy/strong.
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 are some kinds of behavior [MET] that people think are right, but (walking on those roads [MET]/continually doing those things) causes those people to die.
26 A man who labors, labors for himself, and drives from [him] his own ruin.
If a worker (has an appetite/is hungry), that urges him to work hard because he [SYN] wants to [earn money to buy things to] eat.
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.
Worthless people plan [ways to cause] trouble [for others], and [even] what they say [injures people] like a hot fire does [SIM].
28 A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.
Deceitful people cause strife/quarreling among other people; those who say false things about other people cause people who are friends to become enemies.
29 A transgressor tries [to ensnare] friends, and leads them in ways [that are] not good.
Those who act violently entice/encourage others [to also act violently] and lead them along a road that will end in disaster.
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.
People [sometimes] show with [one of] their eyes [to signal to their friends that they are] planning to do something to harm [others]; they smirk when they are about to do something evil.
31 Old age is a crown of honor, but it is found in the ways of righteousness.
Gray hair is [like] a glorious crown [MET] that is given to people who have always behaved righteously.
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.
Those who do not become angry quickly are better than those who are powerful; it is better to (control your temper/keep yourself from becoming very angry) than to conquer a city.
33 All [evils] come upon the ungodly into [their] bosoms; but all righteous things [come] of the Lord.
People (cast lots/throw marked stones) [to decide what should be done], but God is the one who truly decides what will happen.
