Proverbs 16
1 Arrangements of the heart [are] of man, An answer of the tongue from YHWH.
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, And YHWH is pondering the spirits.
All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
3 Roll your works to YHWH, And your purposes are established,
Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
4 YHWH has worked all things for Himself, And also the wicked—for a day of evil.
The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
5 Every proud one of heart [is] an abomination to YHWH, Hand to hand—he is not acquitted.
Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
6 Iniquity is pardoned in kindness and truth, And in the fear of YHWH Turn aside 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 a man’s ways please YHWH, even his enemies, He causes 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 abundance of increase without justice.
Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
9 The heart of man devises his way, And YHWH establishes his step.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
10 An oath [is] on the lips of a king, In judgment his mouth does not trespass.
A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
11 A just beam and balances [are] YHWH’s, All the stones of the bag [are] His work.
Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
12 Doing wickedness [is] an abomination to kings, For a throne is established by righteousness.
Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings, And he loves whoever is speaking uprightly,
Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
14 The fury of a king [is] messengers of death, And a wise man pacifies it.
The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of a king’s face [is] life, And his goodwill [is] as a cloud of the spring rain.
When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 To get wisdom—how much better than gold, And to get understanding—to be chosen [more] than silver!
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
17 A highway of the upright [is] to turn from evil, Whoever is preserving his soul is watching his way.
The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
18 Pride [is] before destruction, And before stumbling—a haughty spirit.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better is humility of spirit with the poor, Than to apportion spoil with the proud.
It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 The wise in any matter finds good, And whoever is trusting in YHWH, O his blessedness.
Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
21 For the wise in heart is called intelligent, And sweetness of lips increases learning.
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
22 Understanding [is] a fountain of life to its possessors, The instruction 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 causes his mouth to act wisely, And he increases learning by his lips,
The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Sayings of pleasantness [are] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way right before a man, And its latter end—ways of death.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
26 A laboring man has labored for himself, For his mouth has caused [him] to bend over it.
A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
27 A worthless man is preparing evil, And on his lips [is] as a burning fire.
A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A contrary man sends forth contention, A tale-bearer is separating a familiar friend.
A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor, And causes him to go in a way [that is] not good.
A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
30 Consulting his eyes to devise contrary things, Moving his lips he has accomplished evil.
He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
31 Grey hairs [are] a crown of beauty, It is found in the way of righteousness.
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
32 Better [is] the [one] slow to anger than the mighty, And the ruler over his spirit than he who is taking 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 The lot is cast into the center, And all its judgment [is] from YHWH!
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
