Proverbs 16
1 People plan what they want to do, but Yahweh is the one who decides [MTY] what really will happen.
To man belongeth the preparation of the heart; But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 People may think that their actions are right, but Yahweh really knows why people do what they do.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the spirit.
3 (Request/Rely on) Yahweh to direct what you plan to do; [if you do that], you will succeed in what you plan.
Commit thy doings to the LORD, And thy purposes shall be 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.
The LORD hath ordained every thing for its end; Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Yahweh hates/detests everyone who is proud [IDM]; you can be certain [IDM] that they will be punished [LIT].
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; From generation to generation he shall not be 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, iniquity is expiated; And, through 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 a man's ways please the LORD, 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 revenues without right.
9 People plan what they want to do, but Yahweh directs/determines what they will [really] be able to do.
The heart of man deviseth his way, But the LORD establisheth his steps.
10 [If] God directs what a king says, what he decides is [always] right/fair.
A divine sentence is upon the lips of a king; His mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
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 are the appointment of the LORD; All the weights of the bag are his work.
12 Kings detest those who do evil, because [it is people doing what] is fair/right that causes their governments to be [MTY] strong.
The doing of wickedness is an abomination to kings; For by righteousness is the throne established.
13 Kings are delighted to hear people say [MTY] what is true; they love those who say what is right/honest.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaketh right things.
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 wrath of a king is messengers of death; But a wise man will pacify 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 is life, And his favor is a like a cloud bringing 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 get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.
17 Those whose behavior [MET] is good/right turn away from doing evil; those who guard their conduct [MTY] protect their lives.
It is the highway of the upright to depart from evil; He that taketh heed to his way preserveth his life.
18 Being proud will (lead to your having/cause you to have) disasters; despising others will result in your being ruined.
Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
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 share the spoil with the proud.
20 Those who heed good teaching/instruction will prosper; happy are those who trust in Yahweh.
He who giveth heed to the word shall find good; And he who trusteth in the LORD, happy is he!
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 shall be called intelligent, And sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Being wise is [like having] a fountain that gives life [MET], but foolish people are punished as a result of their acting foolishly.
Understanding is a wellspring of life to him that hath it. And the chastisement of fools is their 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 man instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.
24 Kind words are like honey [SIM]: We enjoy them both, and both cause our bodies to be healthy/strong.
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet to the taste, and health 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 a way that seemeth right to a man, But the end thereof is the way to 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 hunger of the laborer laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him on.
27 Worthless people plan [ways to cause] trouble [for others], and [even] what they say [injures people] like a hot fire does [SIM].
A worthless man diggeth mischief, And on his lips there is, as it were, a burning 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 deceitful man stirreth up strife, And a whisperer separateth friends.
29 Those who act violently entice/encourage others [to also act violently] and lead them along a road that will end in disaster.
A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him into 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 who shutteth his eyes to devise fraud, He who compresseth his lips, hath accomplished mischief!
31 Gray hair is [like] a glorious crown [MET] that is given to people who have always behaved righteously.
The hoary head is a crown of glory, If it be found in the way of righteousness.
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.
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he who ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh 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.
The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole decision thereof is from the LORD.
