Proverbs 16
1 Unto man belong the resolves of the heart; but from the Lord cometh the expression of the tongue.
To man belongeth the preparation of the heart; But the answer 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 the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the spirit.
3 Commit unto the Lord thy works, and thy plans will be firmly established.
Commit thy doings to the LORD, And thy purposes shall be established.
4 Every thing hath the Lord wrought for its destined end; yes, even the wicked for the day of unhappiness.
The LORD hath ordained every thing for its end; Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
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 an abomination to the LORD; From generation to generation he shall not be unpunished.
6 Through kindness and truth is iniquity atoned for; and by the fear of the Lord [men] depart from evil.
Through kindness and truth, iniquity is expiated; And, through 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.
When a man's ways please the LORD, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great incomes through injustice.
Better is a little with righteousness, Than great revenues without right.
9 A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth firmly his steps.
The heart of man deviseth his way, But the LORD establisheth 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 sentence is upon the lips of a king; His mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11 A just balance and scales belong to the Lord: his work are all the weights in the bag.
A just balance and scales are the appointment of the LORD; All the weights of the bag are his work.
12 It should be an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for through righteousness [alone] can a throne be established.
The doing of wickedness is an abomination to kings; For by righteousness is the throne established.
13 Righteous lips [should obtain] the favor of kings; and him that speaketh uprightly should they love.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaketh right things.
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 messengers 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.
In the light of the king's countenance is life, And his favor is a like a cloud bringing the latter rain.
16 How much better is it to obtain wisdom than gold! and to obtain understanding is preferable to silver!
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he preserveth his soul that watcheth his way.
It is the highway of the upright to depart from evil; He that taketh heed to his way preserveth his life.
18 Before downfall [goeth] pride, and before stumbling, haughtiness of spirit.
Pride goeth 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.
Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to share 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!
He who giveth heed to the word shall find good; And he who trusteth in the LORD, happy is he!
21 The wise in heart is called a man of understanding; and the sweetness of the lips increaseth information.
The wise in heart shall be called intelligent, And sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Intelligence is a source of life unto its possessor; but the correction of fools is folly.
Understanding is a wellspring of life to him that hath it. And the chastisement of fools is their folly.
23 The heart of the wise maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips he increaseth information.
The heart of the wise man instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.
24 [Like] the droppings of honey are pleasant sayings, sweet to the soul, and healing to the bones.
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet to the taste, and health 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 seemeth right to a man, But the end thereof is the way to death.
26 The desire of the laborer laboreth for him; for his mouth imposeth it on him.
The hunger of the laborer laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him on.
27 An ungodly man diggeth up mischief, and on his lips there is as it were a scathing fire.
A worthless man diggeth mischief, And on his lips there is, as it were, a burning fire.
28 A perverse man scattereth strife; and a whisperer separateth confident friends.
A deceitful man stirreth up strife, And a whisperer separateth friends.
29 The man of violence misleadeth his neighbor, and maketh him go on a way which is not good.
A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him into a way which 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 shutteth his eyes to devise fraud, He who compresseth his lips, hath accomplished mischief!
31 An ornamental crown is the hoary head, on the way of righteousness can it be found.
The hoary head is a crown of glory, If it be found in the way 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 the mighty; And he who ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh 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 the whole decision thereof is from the LORD.
