Proverbs 16:1-33
16 To earthling man* belong the arrangings of the heart,+ but from Jehovah is the answer of the tongue.+
2 All the ways of a man* are pure in his own eyes,+ but Jehovah is making an estimate of spirits.+
3 Roll your works upon Jehovah himself+ and your plans will be firmly established.+
4 Everything Jehovah has made for his purpose,+ yes, even the wicked one for the evil day.+
5 Everyone that is proud in heart is something detestable to Jehovah.+ Hand [may join] to hand, [yet] one will not be free from punishment.+
6 By loving-kindness* and trueness error is atoned for,+ and in the fear of Jehovah one turns away from bad.+
7 When Jehovah takes pleasure in the ways of a man+ he causes even his enemies themselves to be at peace with him.+
8 Better is a little with righteousness+ than an abundance of products without justice.*+
9 The heart of earthling man may think out his way,+ but Jehovah himself does the directing of his steps.+
10 Inspired decision should be upon the lips of a king;+ in judgment his mouth should not prove unfaithful.+
11 The just indicator and scales belong to Jehovah;+ all the stone weights of the bag are his work.+
12 The doing of wickedness is something detestable to kings,+ for by righteousness is the throne firmly established.+
13 The lips of righteousness are a pleasure to a grand king;*+ and the speaker of upright things he loves.+
14 The rage of a king means messengers of death,+ but the wise man is one that averts it.*+
15 In the light of the king’s face there is life,+ and his goodwill is like the cloud of spring rain.+
16 The getting of wisdom is O how much better than gold!+ And the getting of understanding is to be chosen more than silver.+
17 The highway of the upright ones is to turn away from bad.+ One who is safeguarding his way is keeping his soul.+
18 Pride is before a crash,+ and a haughty spirit* before stumbling.+
19 Better is it to be lowly in spirit* with the meek ones*+ than to divide spoil with the self-exalted ones.+
20 He that is showing insight in a matter will find good,+ and happy is he that is trusting in Jehovah.+
21 The one that is wise in heart will be called understanding,+ and he that is sweet in [his] lips adds persuasiveness.+
22 To its owners insight is a well of life;+ and the discipline of the foolish ones is foolishness.+
23 The heart of the wise one causes his mouth to show insight,+ and to his lips it adds persuasiveness.+
24 Pleasant sayings are a honeycomb,+ sweet to the soul and a healing to the bones.+
25 There exists a way that is upright before a man,+ but the ways of death are the end of it afterward.+
26 The soul* of the hard worker has worked hard for him,+ because his mouth has pressed him hard.+
27 A good-for-nothing man* is digging up what is bad,+ and upon his lips there is, as it were, a scorching fire.+
28 A man of intrigues keeps sending forth contention,+ and a slanderer is separating those familiar with one another.+
29 A man of violence will seduce his fellow,+ and certainly causes him to go in a way that is not good.+
30 He is blinking with his eyes to scheme up intrigues.+ Pinching his lips together, he certainly brings mischief to completion.
31 Gray-headedness is a crown of beauty+ when it is found in the way of righteousness.+
32 He that is slow to anger is better than a mighty man,+ and he that is controlling his spirit than the one capturing a city.+
33 Into the lap the lot is cast down,+ but every decision by it is from Jehovah.+
Footnotes
^ “To earthling man.” Heb., leʼa·dhamʹ.
^ “All the ways of a man.” Heb., kal-dar·kheh-ʼishʹ.
^ Or, “loyal love.”
^ Or, “judgment.”
^ Lit., “he will cover it.” Heb., yekhap·perenʹnah.
^ Lit., “height (haughtiness) of spirit.” Heb., goʹvah ruʹach.
^ Lit., “lowness of spirit.” Heb., shephal-ruʹach.
^ “Meek ones,” Mmargin; M, “afflicted ones.”
^ Or, “soulful desire.”
^ Lit., “A man of belial.” Heb., ʼish beli·yaʹʽal.
