Proverbs 16
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.
All the works of the humble [man] are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.
3 Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.
4 The LORD has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; they shall certainly not be unpunished.
Every one that is proud in heart is unclean before God, and he that unjustly strikes hands with hand shall not be held guiltless. The beginning of a good way is to do justly; and it is more acceptable with God than to offer sacrifices. He that seeks the Lord shall find knowledge with righteousness: and they that rightly seek him shall find peace. All of the works of the Lord [are done] with righteousness; and the ungodly [man] is kept for the evil day.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
9 A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
10 Inspired judgements are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
[There is] an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgment.
11 Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.
The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.
12 It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.
14 The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.
15 In the light of the king’s face is life. His favour is like a cloud of the spring rain.
The son of a king is in the light of life; and they that are in favor with him are as a cloud of latter rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
The paths of life turn aside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are length of life. He that receives instruction shall be in prosperity; and he that regards reproofs shall be made wise. He that keeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he that loves his life will spare his mouth.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
Better is a meek-spirited [man] with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud.
20 He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.
[He who is] skillful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
[Men] call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
The heart of the wise will discern the [things which proceed] from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
There are ways that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of hell. (questioned)
26 The appetite of the labouring man labours for him, for his mouth urges him on.
A man who labors, labors for himself, and drives from [him] his own ruin.
27 A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
But the perverse bears destruction upon his own mouth: a foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips.
28 A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbour, and leads him in a way that is not good.
A transgressor tries [to ensnare] friends, and leads them in ways [that are] not good.
30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
And the man that fixes his eyes devises perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evil: he is a furnace of wickedness.
31 Grey hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
Old age is a crown of honor, but it is found in the ways of righteousness.
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
A man slow to anger is better than a strong [man]; and he that governs [his] temper better than he that takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
All [evils] come upon the ungodly into [their] bosoms; but all righteous things [come] of the Lord.
