Proverbs 16
1 Arrangements of the heart [are] of man, An answer of the tongue from YHWH.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, And YHWH is pondering the spirits.
All the works of the humble [man] are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.
3 Roll your works to YHWH, And your purposes are established,
4 YHWH has worked all things for Himself, And also the wicked—for a day of evil.
5 Every proud one of heart [is] an abomination to YHWH, Hand to hand—he is not acquitted.
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 Iniquity is pardoned in kindness and truth, And in the fear of YHWH Turn aside from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please YHWH, even his enemies, He causes to be at peace with him.
8 Better [is] a little with righteousness, Than abundance of increase without justice.
9 The heart of man devises his way, And YHWH establishes his step.
10 An oath [is] on the lips of a king, In judgment his mouth does not trespass.
[There is] an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgement.
11 A just beam and balances [are] YHWH’s, All the stones of the bag [are] His work.
The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.
12 Doing wickedness [is] an abomination to kings, For a throne is established by righteousness.
An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings, And he loves whoever is speaking uprightly,
Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.
14 The fury of a king [is] messengers of death, And a wise man pacifies it.
The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.
15 In the light of a king’s face [is] life, And his goodwill [is] as a cloud of the spring 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 To get wisdom—how much better than gold, And to get understanding—to be chosen [more] than silver!
The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen than silver.
17 A highway of the upright [is] to turn from evil, Whoever is preserving his soul is watching 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 Pride [is] before destruction, And before stumbling—a haughty spirit.
Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.
19 Better is humility of spirit with the poor, Than to apportion spoil with the proud.
Better is a meek-spirited [man] with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud.
20 The wise in any matter finds good, And whoever is trusting in YHWH, O his blessedness.
[He who is] skilful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.
21 For the wise in heart is called intelligent, And sweetness of lips increases learning.
[Men] call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.
22 Understanding [is] a fountain of life to its possessors, The instruction 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 causes his mouth to act wisely, And he increases learning by his lips,
The heart of the wise will discern the [things which proceed] from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.
24 Sayings of pleasantness [are] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone.
Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.
25 There is a way right before a man, And its latter end—ways of 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 A laboring man has labored for himself, For his mouth has caused [him] to bend over it.
A man who labours, labours for himself, and drives from [him] his own ruin.
27 A worthless man is preparing evil, And on his lips [is] as a burning 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 contrary man sends forth contention, A tale-bearer is separating a familiar friend.
A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor, And causes him to go in a way [that is] not good.
A transgressor tries [to ensnare] friends, and leads them in ways [that are] not good.
30 Consulting his eyes to devise contrary things, Moving his lips he has accomplished 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 Grey hairs [are] a crown of beauty, It is found in the way of righteousness.
Old age is a crown of honour, but it is found in the ways 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.
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 The lot is cast into the center, And all its judgment [is] from YHWH!
All [evils] come upon the ungodly into [their] bosoms; but all righteous things [come] of the Lord.
