Proverbs 16
1 To man belongeth the preparation of the heart; 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 works of the humble [man] are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.
3 Commit thy doings to the LORD, And thy purposes shall be established.
4 The LORD hath ordained every thing for its end; Yea, 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.
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 Through kindness and truth, iniquity is expiated; And, through 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.
8 Better is a little with righteousness, Than great revenues without right.
9 The heart of man deviseth his way, But the LORD establisheth his steps.
10 A divine sentence is upon the lips of a king; His mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
[There is] an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgement.
11 A just balance and scales are the appointment of the LORD; All the weights of the bag are his work.
The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.
12 The doing of wickedness is an abomination to kings; For by righteousness is the throne established.
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 they love him who speaketh right things.
Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.
14 The wrath of a king is messengers of death; But a wise man will pacify it.
The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.
15 In the light of the king's countenance is life, And his favor is a like a cloud bringing the latter 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 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen 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 It is the highway of the upright to depart from evil; He that taketh heed to his way preserveth his life.
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 goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.
19 Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to share the spoil with the proud.
Better is a meek-spirited [man] with lowliness, than one who divides spoils 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 is] skilful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.
21 The wise in heart shall be called intelligent, And sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
[Men] call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.
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 its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.
23 The heart of the wise man instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to 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 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet to the taste, and health to the bones.
Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.
25 There is a way that seemeth right to a man, But the end thereof is the way to 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 The hunger of the laborer laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him on.
A man who labours, labours for himself, and drives from [him] his own ruin.
27 A worthless man diggeth mischief, And on his lips there is, as it were, 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 deceitful man stirreth up strife, And a whisperer separateth friends.
A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.
29 A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him into a way which is not good.
A transgressor tries [to ensnare] friends, and leads them in ways [that are] not good.
30 He who shutteth his eyes to devise fraud, He who compresseth his lips, hath accomplished mischief!
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 The hoary head is a crown of glory, If it be found in the way of righteousness.
Old age is a crown of honour, but it is found in the ways 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.
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 lap; But the whole decision thereof is from the LORD.
All [evils] come upon the ungodly into [their] bosoms; but all righteous things [come] of the Lord.
