Proverbs 16
1 The preparations of the heart belong to man: but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes: but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
4 The LORD hath made every thing for its own end: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside 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 the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth shall not transgress in judgment.
A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
11 A just balance and scales are the LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are his work.
Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight or kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
14 The wrath of a king is [as] messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
The wrath of a king 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 favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
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 to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the correction of fools is [their] folly.
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are [as] an 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 seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
26 The appetite of the labouring man laboureth for him; for his mouth craveth it of him.
A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
27 A worthless man deviseth mischief: and in his lips there is as a scorching fire.
A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A froward man scattereth abroad strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
29 A man of violence enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him in a way that is not good.
A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
30 He that shutteth his eyes, [it is] to devise froward things: he that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.
He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, it shall be found in the way of righteousness.
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
