< Proverbs 16 >
1 The plans of the heart belong to a person, but from Yahweh comes the answer from his tongue.
Arrangements of the heart [are] of man, An answer of the tongue from YHWH.
2 All of a person's ways are pure in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the spirits.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, And YHWH is pondering the spirits.
3 Commit your works to Yahweh and your plans will succeed.
Roll your works to YHWH, And your purposes are established,
4 Yahweh has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
YHWH has worked all things for Himself, And also the wicked—for a day of evil.
5 Yahweh hates everyone who has an arrogant heart, but be sure of this, they will not go unpunished.
Every proud one of heart [is] an abomination to YHWH, Hand to hand—he is not acquitted.
6 By covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness iniquity is atoned for and by the fear of Yahweh people turn away from evil.
Iniquity is pardoned in kindness and truth, And in the fear of YHWH Turn 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 YHWH, even his enemies, He causes to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with what is right, than a large income with injustice.
Better [is] a little with righteousness, Than abundance of increase without justice.
9 In his heart a person plans out his way, but Yahweh directs his steps.
The heart of man devises his way, And YHWH establishes his step.
10 Insightful decisions are on the lips of a king, his mouth should not betray justice.
An oath [is] on the lips of a king, In judgment his mouth does not trespass.
11 Honest scales come from Yahweh; all the weights in the bag are his work.
A just beam and balances [are] YHWH’s, All the stones of the bag [are] His work.
12 When kings do wicked things, that is something to be despised, for a throne is established by doing what is right.
Doing wickedness [is] an abomination to kings, For a throne is established by righteousness.
13 A king delights in lips that say what is right and he loves the one who speaks directly.
Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings, And he loves whoever is speaking uprightly,
14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death but a wise man will try to calm his anger.
The fury of a king [is] messengers of death, And a wise man pacifies it.
15 In the light of a king's face is life and his favor is like a cloud that brings a spring rain.
In the light of a king’s face [is] life, And his goodwill [is] as a cloud of the spring rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. To get understanding should be chosen more than silver.
To get wisdom—how much better than gold, And to get understanding—to be chosen [more] than silver!
17 The highway of upright people turns away from evil; the one who protects his life guards his way.
A highway of the upright [is] to turn from evil, Whoever is preserving his soul is watching his way.
18 Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a downfall.
Pride [is] before destruction, And before stumbling—a haughty spirit.
19 It is better to be humble among poor people than to divide the spoil with proud people.
Better is humility of spirit with the poor, Than to apportion 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.
The wise in any matter finds good, And whoever is trusting in YHWH, O his blessedness.
21 The one who is wise in heart is called discerning and sweetness of speech improves the ability to teach.
For the wise in heart is called intelligent, And sweetness of lips increases learning.
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 possessors, The instruction 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 causes his mouth to act wisely, And he increases learning by his lips,
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb— sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Sayings of pleasantness [are] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
There is a way right before a man, And its latter end—ways of death.
26 The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger urges him on.
A laboring man has labored for himself, For his mouth has caused [him] to bend over it.
27 A worthless person digs up mischief and his speech is like a scorching fire.
A worthless man is preparing evil, And on his lips [is] as a burning fire.
28 A perverse person stirs up conflict and a gossip separates close friends.
A contrary man sends forth contention, A tale-bearer is separating a familiar friend.
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 causes him to go in a way [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.
Consulting his eyes to devise contrary things, Moving his lips he has accomplished evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living the right way.
Grey hairs [are] a crown of beauty, It is found in the way 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.
Better [is] the [one] slow to anger than the mighty, And the ruler over his spirit than he who is taking a city.
33 The lots are cast into the lap, but the decision is from Yahweh.
The lot is cast into the center, And all its judgment [is] from YHWH!