Proverbs 16
1 People plan what they want to do, but Yahweh is the one who decides [MTY] what really will happen.
Unto man belong the resolves of the heart; but from the Lord cometh the expression of the tongue.
2 People may think that their actions are right, but Yahweh really knows why people do what they do.
Every one of the ways of a man is pure in his own eyes; but the Lord measureth the spirits.
3 (Request/Rely on) Yahweh to direct what you plan to do; [if you do that], you will succeed in what you plan.
Commit unto the Lord thy works, and thy plans will be firmly established.
4 Yahweh knows why he does everything that he does; he has even prepared the wicked for the time that he will punish them.
Every thing hath the Lord wrought for its destined end; yes, even the wicked for the day of unhappiness.
5 Yahweh hates/detests everyone who is proud [IDM]; you can be certain [IDM] that they will be punished [LIT].
An abomination of the Lord is every one that is proud of heart: the hand [of God] being against [his] hand, he shall not go unpunished.
6 Be loyal to Yahweh and faithfully [obey] him; if you do that, he will forgive you for having sinned. If we revere him, nothing evil will happen to us (OR, he will prevent evil things from happening to us).
Through kindness and truth is iniquity atoned for; and by the fear of the Lord [men] depart from evil.
7 When our behavior pleases Yahweh, he even causes our enemies to act peacefully toward us.
When the Lord receiveth in favor a man's ways, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 It is better to have a small amount of money that is earned honestly than to have a lot of money that is acquired dishonestly.
Better is a little with righteousness, than great incomes through injustice.
9 People plan what they want to do, but Yahweh directs/determines what they will [really] be able to do.
A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth firmly his steps.
10 [If] God directs what a king says, what he decides is [always] right/fair.
There should be a wise sentence on the lips of the king: his mouth should never commit a trespass in judging.
11 Yahweh wants us to use scales that are correct; the weights in his bag are correct, [because] he made them.
A just balance and scales belong to the Lord: his work are all the weights in the bag.
12 Kings detest those who do evil, because [it is people doing what] is fair/right that causes their governments to be [MTY] strong.
It should be an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for through righteousness [alone] can a throne be established.
13 Kings are delighted to hear people say [MTY] what is true; they love those who say what is right/honest.
Righteous lips [should obtain] the favor of kings; and him that speaketh uprightly should they love.
14 If a king becomes angry, he [may] command that someone be executed, [so] wise people will [try to] cause him to be calm.
The fury of a king is like the messengers of death; but a wise man will appease it.
15 If a king has a smile [MTY] on his face, he will enable people to have a [long] life (OR, he will not order people to be executed); his being pleased [with people] is [as delightful] as rain in the springtime [when seeds are planted].
In the light of the king's countenance there is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 Becoming wise is better than aquiring gold; getting good understanding/insight is better than acquiring silver.
How much better is it to obtain wisdom than gold! and to obtain understanding is preferable to silver!
17 Those whose behavior [MET] is good/right turn away from doing evil; those who guard their conduct [MTY] protect their lives.
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he preserveth his soul that watcheth his way.
18 Being proud will (lead to your having/cause you to have) disasters; despising others will result in your being ruined.
Before downfall [goeth] pride, and before stumbling, haughtiness of spirit.
19 It is better to be humble and poor than [to associate with] proud [people] and [to become rich by] dividing with them (plunder/goods captured in a battle).
Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide spoil with the proud.
20 Those who heed good teaching/instruction will prosper; happy are those who trust in Yahweh.
He that reflecteth on a matter wisely will find happiness; and whoso trusteth in the Lord—happiness attend him!
21 People say that those who are wise learn what is right/good behavior, and those who talk pleasantly [are able to] influence others [to do what is right].
The wise in heart is called a man of understanding; and the sweetness of the lips increaseth information.
22 Being wise is [like having] a fountain that gives life [MET], but foolish people are punished as a result of their acting foolishly.
Intelligence is a source of life unto its possessor; but the correction of fools is folly.
23 Those who are wise think carefully before they talk, and as a result they are able to influence/persuade others [to do what is right].
The heart of the wise maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips he increaseth information.
24 Kind words are like honey [SIM]: We enjoy them both, and both cause our bodies to be healthy/strong.
[Like] the droppings of honey are pleasant sayings, sweet to the soul, and healing to the bones.
25 There are some kinds of behavior [MET] that people think are right, but (walking on those roads [MET]/continually doing those things) causes those people to die.
There is many a way which seemeth even before a man, but its end are the ways unto death.
26 If a worker (has an appetite/is hungry), that urges him to work hard because he [SYN] wants to [earn money to buy things to] eat.
The desire of the laborer laboreth for him; for his mouth imposeth it on him.
27 Worthless people plan [ways to cause] trouble [for others], and [even] what they say [injures people] like a hot fire does [SIM].
An ungodly man diggeth up mischief, and on his lips there is as it were a scathing fire.
28 Deceitful people cause strife/quarreling among other people; those who say false things about other people cause people who are friends to become enemies.
A perverse man scattereth strife; and a whisperer separateth confident friends.
29 Those who act violently entice/encourage others [to also act violently] and lead them along a road that will end in disaster.
The man of violence misleadeth his neighbor, and maketh him go on a way which is not good.
30 People [sometimes] show with [one of] their eyes [to signal to their friends that they are] planning to do something to harm [others]; they smirk when they are about to do something evil.
He shutteth his eyes to devise perverse things: when he compresseth his lips then hath he fully resolved on evil.
31 Gray hair is [like] a glorious crown [MET] that is given to people who have always behaved righteously.
An ornamental crown is the hoary head, on the way of righteousness can it be found.
32 Those who do not become angry quickly are better than those who are powerful; it is better to (control your temper/keep yourself from becoming very angry) than to conquer a city.
One that is slow to anger is better than a hero; and he that ruleth his spirit, than the conqueror of a city.
33 People (cast lots/throw marked stones) [to decide what should be done], but God is the one who truly decides what will happen.
In the lap the lot is cast: but from the Lord cometh the whole of its decision.
