Proverbs 16
1 Unto man belong the resolves of the heart; but from the Lord cometh the expression of the tongue.
2 Every one of the ways of a man is pure in his own eyes; but the Lord measureth the spirits.
All the works of the humble [man] are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.
3 Commit unto the Lord thy works, and thy plans will be firmly established.
4 Every thing hath the Lord wrought for its destined end; yes, even the wicked for the day of unhappiness.
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.
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 Through kindness and truth is iniquity atoned for; and by the fear of the Lord [men] depart from evil.
7 When the Lord receiveth in favor a man's ways, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great incomes through injustice.
9 A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth firmly his steps.
10 There should be a wise sentence on the lips of the king: his mouth should never commit a trespass in judging.
[There is] an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgement.
11 A just balance and scales belong to the Lord: his work are all the weights in the bag.
The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.
12 It should be an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for through righteousness [alone] can a throne be established.
An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips [should obtain] the favor of kings; and him that speaketh uprightly should they love.
Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.
14 The fury of a king is like the messengers of death; but a wise man will appease 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 there is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
The son of a king is in the light of life; and they that are in favour with him are as a cloud of latter rain.
16 How much better is it to obtain wisdom than gold! and to obtain understanding is preferable to 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 preserveth his soul that watcheth his way.
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 Before downfall [goeth] pride, and before stumbling, haughtiness of spirit.
Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.
19 Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide spoil with the proud.
Better is a meek-spirited [man] with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud.
20 He that reflecteth on a matter wisely will find happiness; and whoso trusteth in the Lord—happiness attend him!
[He who is] skilful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.
21 The wise in heart is called a man of understanding; and the sweetness of the lips increaseth information.
[Men] call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.
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 possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.
23 The heart of the wise maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips he increaseth information.
The heart of the wise will discern the [things which proceed] from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.
24 [Like] the droppings of honey are pleasant sayings, sweet to the soul, and healing to the bones.
Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.
25 There is many a way which seemeth even before a man, but its end are the ways unto 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 The desire of the laborer laboreth for him; for his mouth imposeth it on him.
A man who labours, labours for himself, and drives from [him] his own ruin.
27 An ungodly man diggeth up mischief, and on his lips there is as it were a scathing 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 perverse man scattereth strife; and a whisperer separateth confident friends.
A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.
29 The man of violence misleadeth his neighbor, and maketh him go on a way which 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 perverse things: when he compresseth his lips then hath he fully resolved on evil.
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 An ornamental crown is the hoary head, on the way of righteousness can it be found.
Old age is a crown of honour, but it is found in the ways 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.
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 In the lap the lot is cast: but from the Lord cometh the whole of its decision.
All [evils] come upon the ungodly into [their] bosoms; but all righteous things [come] of the Lord.
