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Proverbs 16

The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All a man's ways are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established. The LORD has made all things for himself—yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

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Roll your works onto the Lord

The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All a man's ways are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established. The LORD has made all things for himself—yes, even the wicked for the day of evil. Everyone proud in heart is disgusting to the LORD. Hand may join in hand, but they won't escape punishment. By mercy and truth wrongdoing is purged, and by the fear of the LORD people depart from evil. When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies be at peace with him. Better a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. A divine judgment is on the king's lips; his mouth must not go wrong in judgment. A just weight and balance belong to the LORD; all the weights in the bag are his work. It is a disgusting thing for kings to commit wickedness, because a throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love the one who speaks what is right. The anger of a king is like messengers of death, but a wise man will pacify it. In the light of the king's face is life, and his favour is like a cloud bringing the latter rain. How much better it is to get wisdom than gold, and to get understanding rather than silver.

A man makes his plans in his heart, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits. Roll your works onto the Lord, and your plans will be set up. The Lord has made everything for himself, yes, even the wicked for the day of trouble. Everyone who's proud in heart is disgusting to the Lord. Though hand joins in hand, he won't go unpunished. By mercy and truth wrongdoing is covered over, and by the fear of the Lord men turn away from evil. When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even the ones against him be at peace with him. Better a little with righteousness, than great income without right. A man's heart works out his way, but the Lord sets his steps. A decision from God is on the lips of the king. His mouth doesn't go wrong in judgment. An honest weight and balance are the Lord's. All the weights in the bag are his work. It's disgusting for kings to do wickedness, because the throne is set up by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love the one who speaks right. The anger of a king is like messengers of death, but a wise man will quiet it. In the light of the king's face is life, and his favour is like a cloud of the late rain. How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. And to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.

The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. A just weight and balance are the LORD’s: all the weights of the bag are his work. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

1

The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

Plain English

A man makes his plans in his heart, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

King James Version, 1611

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

2

All a man's ways are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirits.

Plain English

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits.

King James Version, 1611

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 thoughts will be established.

Plain English

Roll your works onto the Lord, and your plans will be set up.

King James Version, 1611

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

4

The LORD has made all things for himself—yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

Plain English

The Lord has made everything for himself, yes, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

King James Version, 1611

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

5

Everyone proud in heart is disgusting to the LORD. Hand may join in hand, but they won't escape punishment.

Plain English

Everyone who's proud in heart is disgusting to the Lord. Though hand joins in hand, he won't go unpunished.

King James Version, 1611

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 mercy and truth wrongdoing is purged, and by the fear of the LORD people depart from evil.

Plain English

By mercy and truth wrongdoing is covered over, and by the fear of the Lord men turn away from evil.

King James Version, 1611

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 his enemies be at peace with him.

Plain English

When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even the ones against him be at peace with him.

King James Version, 1611

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 revenues without right.

Plain English

Better a little with righteousness, than great income without right.

King James Version, 1611

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

9

A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.

Plain English

A man's heart works out his way, but the Lord sets his steps.

King James Version, 1611

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

10

A divine judgment is on the king's lips; his mouth must not go wrong in judgment.

Plain English

A decision from God is on the lips of the king. His mouth doesn't go wrong in judgment.

King James Version, 1611

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

11

A just weight and balance belong to the LORD; all the weights in the bag are his work.

Plain English

An honest weight and balance are the Lord's. All the weights in the bag are his work.

King James Version, 1611

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

12

It is a disgusting thing for kings to commit wickedness, because a throne is established by righteousness.

Plain English

It's disgusting for kings to do wickedness, because the throne is set up by righteousness.

King James Version, 1611

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

13

Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love the one who speaks what is right.

Plain English

Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love the one who speaks right.

King James Version, 1611

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

14

The anger of a king is like messengers of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

Plain English

The anger of a king is like messengers of death, but a wise man will quiet it.

King James Version, 1611

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

15

In the light of the king's face is life, and his favour is like a cloud bringing the latter rain.

Plain English

In the light of the king's face is life, and his favour is like a cloud of the late rain.

King James Version, 1611

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 it is to get wisdom than gold, and to get understanding rather than silver.

Plain English

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. And to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.

King James Version, 1611

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

Pride goes before ruin

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; whoever keeps his way preserves his soul. Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. Better to be humble with the lowly than to divide the plunder with the proud. Whoever handles a matter wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed. The wise in heart will be called sensible, and sweetness of the lips increases learning. Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb—sweet to the soul and health to the bones. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the ways of death. The person who labours works for himself, because his appetite drives him on. An ungodly man digs up evil, and his lips are like a burning fire. A perverse man sows conflict, and a whisperer separates close friends. A violent man entices his neighbour and leads him into a way that is not good. He shuts his eyes to devise perverse things; moving his lips, he brings evil to pass. Grey hair is a crown of glory when it is found in the way of righteousness. Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and whoever rules his own spirit is better than one who takes a city. The lot is cast into the lap, but every decision comes from the LORD.

The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil. The one who keeps his way keeps his soul. Pride goes before ruin, and a proud spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the plunder with the proud. The one who deals wisely in a matter will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord is happy. The wise in heart will be called careful, and the sweetness of the lips grows learning. Understanding is a well of life to the one who has it, but the teaching of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones. There's a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death. The one who works, works for himself, because his mouth pushes him on. An ungodly man digs up evil, and in his lips there's like a burning fire. A twisted man sows arguing, and a whisperer separates close mates. A violent man tricks his neighbour and leads him into a way that isn't good. He shuts his eyes to think up twisted things. Moving his lips, he brings evil about. Grey hair is a crown of glory, if it's found in the way of righteousness. The one who's slow to anger is better than the mighty, and the one who rules his spirit than the one who takes a town. The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole deciding of it is from the Lord.

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

17

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; whoever keeps his way preserves his soul.

Plain English

The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil. The one who keeps his way keeps his soul.

King James Version, 1611

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

18

Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

Plain English

Pride goes before ruin, and a proud spirit before a fall.

King James Version, 1611

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

19

Better to be humble with the lowly than to divide the plunder with the proud.

Plain English

Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the plunder with the proud.

King James Version, 1611

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

20

Whoever handles a matter wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.

Plain English

The one who deals wisely in a matter will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord is happy.

King James Version, 1611

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

21

The wise in heart will be called sensible, and sweetness of the lips increases learning.

Plain English

The wise in heart will be called careful, and the sweetness of the lips grows learning.

King James Version, 1611

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

22

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

Plain English

Understanding is a well of life to the one who has it, but the teaching of fools is folly.

King James Version, 1611

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

23

The heart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds learning to his lips.

King James Version, 1611

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

24

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb—sweet to the soul and health to the bones.

Plain English

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

King James Version, 1611

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 ways of death.

Plain English

There's a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death.

King James Version, 1611

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

26

The person who labours works for himself, because his appetite drives him on.

Plain English

The one who works, works for himself, because his mouth pushes him on.

King James Version, 1611

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

27

An ungodly man digs up evil, and his lips are like a burning fire.

Plain English

An ungodly man digs up evil, and in his lips there's like a burning fire.

King James Version, 1611

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

28

A perverse man sows conflict, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Plain English

A twisted man sows arguing, and a whisperer separates close mates.

King James Version, 1611

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

29

A violent man entices his neighbour and leads him into a way that is not good.

Plain English

A violent man tricks his neighbour and leads him into a way that isn't good.

King James Version, 1611

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

30

He shuts his eyes to devise perverse things; moving his lips, he brings evil to pass.

Plain English

He shuts his eyes to think up twisted things. Moving his lips, he brings evil about.

King James Version, 1611

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

31

Grey hair is a crown of glory when it is found in the way of righteousness.

Plain English

Grey hair is a crown of glory, if it's found in the way of righteousness.

King James Version, 1611

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

32

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and whoever rules his own spirit is better than one who takes a city.

Plain English

The one who's slow to anger is better than the mighty, and the one who rules his spirit than the one who takes a town.

King James Version, 1611

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 every decision comes from the LORD.

Plain English

The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole deciding of it is from the Lord.

King James Version, 1611

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