Proverbs 16
1 To man belongeth the preparation of the heart; 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 pure in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the spirit.
People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their intentions.
3 Commit thy doings to the LORD, And thy purposes shall be established.
Trust whatever you do to the Lord, and your plans will be successful.
4 The LORD hath ordained every thing for its end; Yea, 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 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; From generation to generation he shall not be unpunished.
The Lord hates the arrogant. You can be certain of this: the wicked won't go unpunished.
6 Through kindness and truth, iniquity is expiated; And, through 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 maketh 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 without right.
Better to have just a little and be honest than to have a lot and be dishonest.
9 The heart of man deviseth his way, But the LORD establisheth his steps.
You can plan in your mind what to do, but the Lord will guide you.
10 A divine sentence is upon the lips of a king; His mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
The king is inspired in what he says; he is not unreliable in his decisions.
11 A just balance and scales are the appointment of the LORD; All the weights of the bag are his work.
Accurate scales and balances are important to the Lord. He has determined all the weights in the bag.
12 The doing of wickedness is an abomination to kings; For by righteousness is the throne established.
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, And they love him who speaketh right things.
People who tell the truth please kings; they love those who say what is right.
14 The wrath of a king is messengers 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 countenance is life, And his favor is a like a cloud bringing the latter rain.
If the king is smiling, you'll live; his blessing is like the clouds that bring spring rain.
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.
Far better to get wisdom than gold; far better to choose knowledge 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 good leads away from evil. If you watch where you're going you'll save your life.
18 Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride leads to destruction; and an arrogant spirit leads to a fall.
19 Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to share the spoil with the proud.
Better to have a humble spirit and live with the poor than to share 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!
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 intelligent, And sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
If you think wisely you'll be called perceptive; if you speak pleasantly you'll be persuasive.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him that hath it. And the chastisement 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 man instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.
A wise mind makes sure to say sensible things; the words spoken are persuasive.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet to the taste, 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 that seemeth right to a man, But the end thereof is the way to death.
There's a way that seems to be right, but in the end it's the way of death.
26 The hunger of the laborer laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him on.
A good appetite helps workers—hunger encourages them.
27 A worthless man diggeth mischief, And on his lips there is, as it were, a burning fire.
Worthless people plot evil and their words burn like fire.
28 A deceitful man stirreth up strife, And a whisperer separateth friends.
Quarrelsome people cause conflict, and a gossip comes between the closest friends.
29 A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him into a way which is not good.
Violent people lure their friends, and lead them in a direction that's not good for them.
30 He who shutteth his eyes to devise fraud, He who compresseth his lips, hath accomplished mischief!
People who give you a sly wink are plotting bad things; they purse their lips and make evil happen.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, If it be found in the way of righteousness.
Gray hair is a glorious crown; it's achieved by living right.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he who ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh 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 the whole decision thereof is from the LORD.
The lot is thrown into the lap, but the Lord makes every decision.
