Proverbs 16
1 Unto man belong the resolves of the heart; but from the Lord cometh the expression of the tongue.
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 Every one of the ways of a man is pure in his own eyes; but the Lord measureth the spirits.
All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
3 Commit unto the Lord thy works, and thy plans will be firmly established.
Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
4 Every thing hath the Lord wrought for its destined end; yes, even the wicked for the day of unhappiness.
The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
5 An abomination of the Lord is every one that is proud of heart: the hand [of God] being against [his] hand, he shall not go unpunished.
Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
6 Through kindness and truth is iniquity atoned for; and by the fear of the Lord [men] depart from evil.
By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.
7 When the Lord receiveth in favor a man's ways, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great incomes through injustice.
Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
9 A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth firmly his steps.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
10 There should be a wise sentence on the lips of the king: his mouth should never commit a trespass in judging.
A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
11 A just balance and scales belong to the Lord: his work are all the weights in the bag.
Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
12 It should be an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for through righteousness [alone] can a throne be established.
Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Righteous lips [should obtain] the favor of kings; and him that speaketh uprightly should they love.
Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
14 The fury of a king is like the messengers of death; but a wise man will appease it.
The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of the king's countenance there is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 How much better is it to obtain wisdom than gold! and to obtain understanding is preferable to silver!
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he preserveth his soul that watcheth his way.
The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
18 Before downfall [goeth] pride, and before stumbling, haughtiness of spirit.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide spoil with the proud.
It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He that reflecteth on a matter wisely will find happiness; and whoso trusteth in the Lord—happiness attend him!
Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
21 The wise in heart is called a man of understanding; and the sweetness of the lips increaseth information.
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
22 Intelligence is a source of life unto its possessor; but the correction of fools is folly.
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips he increaseth information.
The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 [Like] the droppings of honey are pleasant sayings, sweet to the soul, and healing to the bones.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is many a way which seemeth even before a man, but its end are the ways unto death.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
26 The desire of the laborer laboreth for him; for his mouth imposeth it on him.
A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
27 An ungodly man diggeth up mischief, and on his lips there is as it were a scathing fire.
A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A perverse man scattereth strife; and a whisperer separateth confident friends.
A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
29 The man of violence misleadeth his neighbor, and maketh him go on a way which is not good.
A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
30 He shutteth his eyes to devise perverse things: when he compresseth his lips then hath he fully resolved on evil.
He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
31 An ornamental crown is the hoary head, on the way of righteousness can it be found.
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
32 One that is slow to anger is better than a hero; and he that ruleth his spirit, than the conqueror of 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 In the lap the lot is cast: but from the Lord cometh the whole of its decision.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
