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 answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.
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 clean in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the motives.
3 Commit your works to Yahweh and your plans will succeed.
Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.
4 Yahweh has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
Yahweh has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
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 an abomination to Yahweh; they shall certainly not be unpunished.
6 By covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness iniquity is atoned for and by the fear of Yahweh people turn away from evil.
By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart 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 Yahweh, he makes even his enemies 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 great revenues 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 Yahweh directs his steps.
10 Insightful decisions are on the lips of a king, his mouth should not betray justice.
Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
11 Honest scales come from Yahweh; all the weights in the bag are his work.
Honest balances and scales are Yahweh’s; all the weights in 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.
It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the 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. They value one who speaks the truth.
14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death but a wise man will try to calm his anger.
The king’s wrath 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.
In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like 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.
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather 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 is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a downfall.
Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant 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 of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the 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.
He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.
21 The one who is wise in heart is called discerning and sweetness of speech improves the ability to teach.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips 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 one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
23 The heart of a wise person gives insight to his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning 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 health 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 which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
26 The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger urges him on.
The appetite of the laboring man labors for him, for his mouth urges him on.
27 A worthless person digs up mischief and his speech is like a scorching fire.
A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A perverse person stirs up conflict and a gossip separates close friends.
A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
29 A man of violence lies to his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him 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.
One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses 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 by a life 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.
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes 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 Yahweh.
