Proverbs 16

1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.

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

2 All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

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

3 Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.

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

4 The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster.

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

5 Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.

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

6 By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.

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

7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

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

8 Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.

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

9 A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

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

10 A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.

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

11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.

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

12 Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.

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

13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.

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

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

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

15 When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

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

16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

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

17 The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.

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

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

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

19 It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.

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

20 Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

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

21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.

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

22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.

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

23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

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

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

24 Pleasant words are as an 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 of death.

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

26 A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.

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

27 A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

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

28 A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.

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

29 A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.

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

30 He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

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

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

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

32 He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

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

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

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