Proverbs 16
1 To man belongeth the preparation of the heart; But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the spirit.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.
3 Commit thy doings to the LORD, And thy purposes shall be established.
Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.
4 The LORD hath ordained every thing for its end; Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
The LORD has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; From generation to generation he shall not be unpunished.
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; they shall certainly not be unpunished.
6 Through kindness and truth, iniquity is expiated; And, through the fear of the LORD, men depart from evil.
By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the LORD, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness, Than great revenues without right.
Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
9 The heart of man deviseth his way, But the LORD establisheth his steps.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
10 A divine sentence is upon the lips of a king; His mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
11 A just balance and scales are the appointment of the LORD; All the weights of the bag are his work.
Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 The doing of wickedness is an abomination to kings; For by righteousness is the throne established.
It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaketh right things.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
14 The wrath of a king is messengers of death; But a wise man will pacify it.
The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of the king's countenance is life, And his favor is a like a cloud bringing the latter rain.
In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 It is the highway of the upright to depart from evil; He that taketh heed to his way preserveth his life.
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
19 Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to share the spoil with the proud.
It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
20 He who giveth heed to the word shall find good; And he who trusteth in the LORD, happy is he!
He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.
21 The wise in heart shall be called intelligent, And sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him that hath it. And the chastisement of fools is their folly.
Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
23 The heart of the wise man instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet to the taste, and health to the bones.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seemeth right to a man, But the end thereof is the way to death.
There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
26 The hunger of the laborer laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him on.
The appetite of the laboring man labors for him, for his mouth urges him on.
27 A worthless man diggeth mischief, And on his lips there is, as it were, a burning fire.
A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A deceitful man stirreth up strife, And a whisperer separateth friends.
A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
29 A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him into a way which is not good.
A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 He who shutteth his eyes to devise fraud, He who compresseth his lips, hath accomplished mischief!
One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, If it be found in the way of righteousness.
Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he who ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole decision thereof is from the LORD.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
