Proverbs 16
1 The plans of the heart belong to a person, but from Yahweh comes the answer from his tongue.
Human beings may make plans in their minds, but the final decision is the Lord's.
2 All of a person's ways are pure in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the spirits.
People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their intentions.
3 Commit your works to Yahweh and your plans will succeed.
Trust whatever you do to the Lord, and your plans will be successful.
4 Yahweh has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
The Lord has a purpose in everything he does, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Yahweh hates everyone who has an arrogant heart, but be sure of this, they will not go unpunished.
The Lord hates the arrogant. You can be certain of this: the wicked won't go unpunished.
6 By covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness iniquity is atoned for and by the fear of Yahweh people turn away from evil.
Sin is forgiven through trustworthy love and faithfulness; by honoring the Lord people are saved 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 the way that people live pleases the Lord, he makes even their enemies be at peace with them.
8 Better is a little with what is right, than a large income with injustice.
Better to have just a little and be honest than to have a lot and be dishonest.
9 In his heart a person plans out his way, but Yahweh directs his steps.
You can plan in your mind what to do, but the Lord will guide you.
10 Insightful decisions are on the lips of a king, his mouth should not betray justice.
The king is inspired in what he says; he is not unreliable in his decisions.
11 Honest scales come from Yahweh; all the weights in the bag are his work.
Accurate scales and balances are important to the Lord. He has determined all the weights in the bag.
12 When kings do wicked things, that is something to be despised, for a throne is established by doing what is right.
It's a terrible thing for a king to do evil, for his throne is based on doing right.
13 A king delights in lips that say what is right and he loves the one who speaks directly.
People who tell the truth please kings; they love those who say what is right.
14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death but a wise man will try to calm his anger.
An angry king can put you to death. If you're wise you'll try and calm him down.
15 In the light of a king's face is life and his favor is like a cloud that brings a spring rain.
If the king is smiling, you'll live; his blessing is like the clouds that bring spring rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. To get understanding should be chosen more than silver.
Far better to get wisdom than gold; far better to choose knowledge 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 good leads away from evil. If you watch where you're going you'll save your life.
18 Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a downfall.
Pride leads to destruction; and an arrogant spirit leads to a fall.
19 It is better to be humble among poor people than to divide the spoil with proud people.
Better to have a humble spirit and live with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
20 Whoever contemplates what they are taught will find what is good, and those who trust in Yahweh will be blessed.
If you pay attention to wise instruction you will do well; you'll be happy if you trust in the Lord.
21 The one who is wise in heart is called discerning and sweetness of speech improves the ability to teach.
If you think wisely you'll be called perceptive; if you speak pleasantly you'll be persuasive.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, but the instruction of fools is their foolishness.
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 a wise person gives insight to his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
A wise mind makes sure to say sensible things; the words spoken are persuasive.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb— sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Kind words are like a honeycomb—they taste sweet and are healthy for the body.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end 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 laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger urges him on.
A good appetite helps workers—hunger encourages them.
27 A worthless person digs up mischief and his speech is like a scorching fire.
Worthless people plot evil and their words burn like fire.
28 A perverse person stirs up conflict and a gossip separates close friends.
Quarrelsome people cause conflict, and a gossip comes between the closest friends.
29 A man of violence lies to his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
Violent people lure their friends, and lead them in a direction that's not good for them.
30 The one who winks the eye is plotting perverse things; those who purse the lips will bring evil to pass.
People who give you a sly wink are plotting bad things; they purse their lips and make evil happen.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living the right way.
Gray hair is a glorious crown; it's achieved by living right.
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.
Better to be slow to anger than to be powerful, better to have self-control than to conquer a town.
33 The lots are cast into the lap, but the decision is from Yahweh.
The lot is thrown into the lap, but the Lord makes every decision.
