Proverbs — Chapter 16

1The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

3Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

4The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

7When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

9A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

11A just weight and balance are the LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are his work.

12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

15In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

26He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

31The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

1The plans of the heart belong to man; But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.

2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the spirits.

3Commit thy works unto Jehovah, And thy purposes shall be established.

4Jehovah hath made everything for its own end; Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah: [Though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for; And by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil.

7When a man`s ways please Jehovah, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8Better is a little, with righteousness, Than great revenues with injustice.

9A man`s heart deviseth his way; But Jehovah directeth his steps.

10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; His mouth shall not transgress in judgment.

11A just balance and scales are Jehovah`s; All the weights of the bag are his work.

12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; For the throne is established by righteousness.

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right.

14The wrath of a king is [as] messengers of death; But a wise man will pacify it.

15In the light of the king`s countenance is life; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.

16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.

17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

18Pride [goeth] before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

19Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good; And whoso trusteth in Jehovah, happy is he.

21The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is [their] folly.

23The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.

24Pleasant words are [as] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.

26The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him [thereto].

27A worthless man deviseth mischief; And in his lips there is as a scorching fire.

28A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.

29A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him in a way that is not good.

30He that shutteth his eyes, [it is] to devise perverse things: He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.

31The hoary head is a crown of glory; It shall be found in the way of righteousness.

32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole disposing thereof is of Jehovah.

1The intentions of the heart belong to a man, but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord.

2All a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion, but the Lord evaluates the motives.

3Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

4The Lord has worked everything for his own ends— even the wicked for the day of disaster.

5The Lord abhors every arrogant person; rest assured that they will not go unpunished.

6Through loyal love and truth iniquity is appeased; through fearing the Lord one avoids evil.

7When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he even reconciles his enemies to himself.

8Better to have a little with righteousness than to have abundant income without justice.

9A person plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps.

10The divine verdict is in the words of the king; his pronouncements must not act treacherously against justice.

11Honest scales and balances are from the Lord; all the weights in the bag are his handiwork.

12Doing wickedness is an abomination to kings, because a throne is established in righteousness.

13The delight of a king is righteous counsel, and he will love the one who speaks uprightly.

14A king’s wrath is like a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.

15In the light of the king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds of the spring rain.

16How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.

17The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; the one who guards his way safeguards his life.

18Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19It is better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoils with the proud.

20The one who deals wisely in a matter will find success, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

21The one who is wise in heart is called discerning, and kind speech increases persuasiveness.

22Insight is like a life-giving fountain to the one who possesses it, but folly leads to the discipline of fools.

23A wise person’s heart makes his speech wise, and it adds persuasiveness to his words.

24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death.

26A laborer’s appetite has labored for him, for his hunger has pressed him to work.

27A wicked scoundrel digs up evil, and his slander is like a scorching fire.

28A perverse person spreads dissension, and a gossip separates the closest friends.

29A violent person entices his neighbor, and then leads him down a path that is terrible.

30The one who winks his eyes devises perverse things, and one who compresses his lips has accomplished evil.

31Gray hair is like a crown of glory; it is attained in the path of righteousness.

32Better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior, and one who controls his temper is better than one who captures a city.

33The dice are thrown into the lap, but their every decision is from the Lord.

1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.

2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Yahweh weighs the motives.

3Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.

4Yahweh has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: they shall certainly not be unpunished.

6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.

7When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.

9A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.

10Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.

11Honest balances and scales are Yahweh’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.

12It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.

14The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

15In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.

16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.

20He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.

21The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.

22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.

23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

26The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.

27A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.

28A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.

29A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.

30One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.

31Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.

32One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.