Proverbs 16
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
Human beings may make plans in their minds, but the final decision is the Lord's.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weighs the motives.
People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their intentions.
3 Entrust your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.
Trust whatever you do to the Lord, and your plans will be successful.
4 The LORD has made everything for its own end—yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
The Lord has a purpose in everything he does, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: they shall certainly not be unpunished.
The Lord hates the arrogant. You can be certain of this: the wicked won't go unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
Sin is forgiven through trustworthy love and faithfulness; by honoring the Lord people are saved from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
When the way that people live pleases the Lord, he makes even their enemies be at peace with them.
8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
Better to have just a little and be honest than to have a lot and be dishonest.
9 A man's heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
You can plan in your mind what to do, but the Lord will guide you.
10 Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
The king is inspired in what he says; he is not unreliable in his decisions.
11 Honest balances and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his work.
Accurate scales and balances are important to the Lord. He has determined all the weights in the bag.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness.
It's a terrible thing for a king to do evil, for his throne is based on doing right.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
People who tell the truth please kings; they love those who say what is right.
14 The king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
An angry king can put you to death. If you're wise you'll try and calm him down.
15 In the light of the king's face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
If the king is smiling, you'll live; his blessing is like the clouds that bring spring rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
Far better to get wisdom than gold; far better to choose knowledge than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
The highway of the good leads away from evil. If you watch where you're going you'll save your life.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride leads to destruction; and an arrogant spirit leads to a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
Better to have a humble spirit and live with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
20 He who heeds the word finds prosperity, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
If you pay attention to wise instruction you will do well; you'll be happy if you trust in the Lord.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
If you think wisely you'll be called perceptive; if you speak pleasantly you'll be persuasive.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
If you have good sense it will be a fountain of life to you, but stupid people are punished by their stupidity.
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
A wise mind makes sure to say sensible things; the words spoken are persuasive.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Kind words are like a honeycomb—they taste sweet and are healthy for the body.
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
There's a way that seems to be right, but in the end it's the way of death.
26 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.
A good appetite helps workers—hunger encourages them.
27 A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
Worthless people plot evil and their words burn like fire.
28 A perverse man stirs up strife, and a gossip separates close friends.
Quarrelsome people cause conflict, and a gossip comes between the closest friends.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
Violent people lure their friends, and lead them in a direction that's not good for them.
30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
People who give you a sly wink are plotting bad things; they purse their lips and make evil happen.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is found in the path of righteousness.
Gray hair is a glorious crown; it's achieved by living right.
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
Better to be slow to anger than to be powerful, better to have self-control than to conquer a town.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
The lot is thrown into the lap, but the Lord makes every decision.
