< Proverbs 16 >
1 The plans of the heart belong to a person, but from Yahweh comes the answer from his tongue.
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 All of a person's ways are pure in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the spirits.
All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
3 Commit your works to Yahweh and your plans will succeed.
Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
4 Yahweh has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
5 Yahweh hates everyone who has an arrogant heart, but be sure of this, they will not go unpunished.
Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
6 By covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness iniquity is atoned for and by the fear of Yahweh people turn away 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 person's ways are pleasing to Yahweh, he makes even that person's 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 what is right, than a large income with injustice.
Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
9 In his heart a person plans out his way, but Yahweh directs his steps.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
10 Insightful decisions are on the lips of a king, his mouth should not betray justice.
A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
11 Honest scales come from Yahweh; all the weights in the bag are his work.
Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
12 When kings do wicked things, that is something to be despised, for a throne is established by doing what is right.
Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
13 A king delights in lips that say what is right and he loves the one who speaks directly.
Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death but a wise man will try to calm his anger.
The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of a king's face is life and his favor is like a cloud that brings a spring rain.
When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. To get understanding should be chosen more than silver.
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
17 The highway of upright people turns away from evil; the one who protects his life guards his way.
The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
18 Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a downfall.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be humble among poor people than to divide the spoil with proud people.
It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Whoever contemplates what they are taught will find what is good, and those who trust in Yahweh will be blessed.
Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
21 The one who is wise in heart is called discerning and sweetness of speech improves the ability to teach.
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, but the instruction of fools is their foolishness.
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 The heart of a wise person gives insight to his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb— sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
26 The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger urges him on.
A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
27 A worthless person digs up mischief and his speech is like a scorching fire.
A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A perverse person stirs up conflict and a gossip separates close friends.
A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
29 A man of violence lies to his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
30 The one who winks the eye is plotting perverse things; those who purse the lips will bring evil to pass.
He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living the right way.
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
32 It is better to be slow to anger than to be a warrior and one who rules his spirit is stronger than one who conquers 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 lots are cast into the lap, but the decision is from Yahweh.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.