Proverbs 16
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.
The plans of the heart belong to a person, but from Yahweh comes the answer from his tongue.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Jehovah weighs the motives.
All of a person's ways are pure in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the spirits.
3 Entrust your works to Jehovah, and your plans will be established.
Commit your works to Yahweh and your plans will succeed.
4 Jehovah has made everything for its own end—yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Yahweh has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah: they shall certainly not be unpunished.
Yahweh hates everyone who has an arrogant heart, but be sure of this, they will not go unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil.
By covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness iniquity is atoned for and by the fear of Yahweh people turn away from evil.
7 When a man's ways please Jehovah, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
When a person's ways are pleasing to Yahweh, he makes even that person's enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
Better is a little with what is right, than a large income with injustice.
9 A man's heart plans his course, but Jehovah directs his steps.
In his heart a person plans out his way, but Yahweh directs his steps.
10 Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
Insightful decisions are on the lips of a king, his mouth should not betray justice.
11 Honest balances and scales are Jehovah's; all the weights in the bag are his work.
Honest scales come from Yahweh; all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness.
When kings do wicked things, that is something to be despised, for a throne is established by doing what is right.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
A king delights in lips that say what is right and he loves the one who speaks directly.
14 The king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
A king's wrath is a messenger of death but a wise man will try to calm his anger.
15 In the light of the king's face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
In the light of a king's face is life and his favor is like a cloud that brings a spring rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. To get understanding should be chosen more than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
The highway of upright people turns away from evil; the one who protects his life guards his way.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a downfall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
It is better to be humble among poor people than to divide the spoil with proud people.
20 He who heeds the word finds prosperity, and blessed is he who trusts in Jehovah.
Whoever contemplates what they are taught will find what is good, and those who trust in Yahweh will be blessed.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
The one who is wise in heart is called discerning and sweetness of speech improves the ability to teach.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, but the instruction of fools is their foolishness.
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
The heart of a wise person gives insight to his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb— sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
26 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.
The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger urges him on.
27 A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
A worthless person digs up mischief and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A perverse man stirs up strife, and a gossip separates close friends.
A perverse person stirs up conflict and a gossip separates close friends.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
A man of violence lies to his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
The one who winks the eye is plotting perverse things; those who purse the lips will bring evil to pass.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is found in the path of righteousness.
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living the right way.
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
It is better to be slow to anger than to be a warrior and one who rules his spirit is stronger than one who conquers a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Jehovah.
The lots are cast into the lap, but the decision is from Yahweh.
