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 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 clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.
3 Commit unto the Lord thy works, and thy plans will be firmly established.
Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.
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 its own end— yes, 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.
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; they shall certainly not be unpunished.
6 Through kindness and truth is iniquity atoned for; and by the fear of the Lord [men] depart from evil.
By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. 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.
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes 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 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 directs his steps.
10 There should be a wise sentence on the lips of the king: his mouth should never commit a trespass in judging.
Inspired judgements are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
11 A just balance and scales belong to the Lord: his work are all the weights in the bag.
Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in 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.
It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips [should obtain] the favor of kings; and him that speaketh uprightly should they love.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
14 The fury of a king is like the messengers of death; but a wise man will appease it.
The king’s wrath 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.
In the light of the king’s face is life. His favour is like a cloud of the spring rain.
16 How much better is it to obtain wisdom than gold! and to obtain understanding is preferable to silver!
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather 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 is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Before downfall [goeth] pride, and before stumbling, haughtiness of spirit.
Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant 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 of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder 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 heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.
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 prudent. Pleasantness of the lips 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 one who has it, but the punishment 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 instructs his mouth, and adds 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 a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, 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 which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
26 The desire of the laborer laboreth for him; for his mouth imposeth it on him.
The appetite of the labouring man labours for him, for his mouth urges him on.
27 An ungodly man diggeth up mischief, and on his lips there is as it were a scathing fire.
A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A perverse man scattereth strife; and a whisperer separateth confident friends.
A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
29 The man of violence misleadeth his neighbor, and maketh him go on a way which is not good.
A man of violence entices his neighbour, and leads him in a way 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.
One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
31 An ornamental crown is the hoary head, on the way of righteousness can it be found.
Grey hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life 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.
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes 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.
