Proverbs 16
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from YHWH.
Of man [are] arrangements of the heart, And from Jehovah an answer of the tongue.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but YHWH weighs the motives.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering the spirits.
3 Entrust your works to YHWH, and your plans will be established.
Roll unto Jehovah thy works, And established are thy purposes,
4 YHWH has made everything for its own end—yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
All things hath Jehovah wrought for Himself, And also the wicked [worketh] for a day of evil.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to YHWH: they shall certainly not be unpunished.
An abomination to Jehovah [is] every proud one of heart, Hand to hand he is not acquitted.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of YHWH men depart from evil.
In kindness and truth pardoned is iniquity, And in the fear of Jehovah Turn thou aside from evil.
7 When a man's ways please YHWH, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
When a man's ways please Jehovah, even his enemies, He causeth to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
Better [is] a little with righteousness, Than abundance of increase without justice.
9 A man's heart plans his course, but YHWH directs his steps.
The heart of man deviseth his way, And Jehovah establisheth his step.
10 Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
An oath [is] on the lips of a king, In judgment his mouth trespasseth not.
11 Honest balances and scales are YHWH's; all the weights in the bag are his work.
A just beam and balances [are] Jehovah's, His work [are] all the stones of the bag.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness.
An abomination to kings [is] doing wickedness, For by righteousness is a throne established.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
The delight of kings [are] righteous lips, And whoso is speaking uprightly he loveth,
14 The king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
The fury of a king [is] messengers of death, And a wise man pacifieth it.
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 good-will [is] as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
To get wisdom — how much better than gold, And to get understanding to be chosen than silver!
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
A highway of the upright [is], 'Turn from evil,' Whoso is preserving his soul is watching his way.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Before destruction [is] pride, And before stumbling — a haughty spirit.'
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
Better is humility of spirit with the poor, Than to apportion spoil with the proud.
20 He who heeds the word finds prosperity, and blessed is he who trusts in YHWH.
The wise in any matter findeth good, And whoso is trusting in Jehovah, O his happiness.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
To the wise in heart is called, 'Intelligent,' And sweetness of lips increaseth learning.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
A fountain of life [is] understanding to its possessors, The instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
The heart of the wise causeth his mouth to act wisely, And by his lips he increaseth learning,
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Sayings of pleasantness [are] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone.
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
There is a way right before a man, And its latter end — ways of death.
26 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.
A labouring man hath laboured for himself, For his mouth hath caused [him] to bend over it.
27 A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
A worthless man is preparing evil, And on his lips — as a burning fire.
28 A perverse man stirs up strife, and a gossip separates close friends.
A froward man sendeth forth contention, A tale-bearer is separating a familiar friend.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
A violent man enticeth his neighbour, And hath causeth him to go in a way not good.
30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
Consulting his eyes to devise froward things, Moving his lips he hath accomplished evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is found in the path of righteousness.
A crown of beauty [are] grey hairs, In the way of righteousness it is found.
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
Better [is] the slow to anger than the mighty, And the ruler over his spirit than he who is taking a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from YHWH.
Into the centre is the lot cast, And from Jehovah [is] all its judgment!
