Proverbs Chapter 16
From The Open Bible Project
16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.
- (a) He derides the presumption of man, who dares to attribute anything to himself, as to prepare his heart or such like, seeing that he is not able to speak a word unless God gives it to him.
16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Yahweh weighs the motives.
- (b) He shows by it that man flatters himself in his doings, calling that virtue, which God terms vice.
16:3 Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.
16:4 Yahweh has made everything for its own end-- yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
- (c) So that the justice of God will appear to his glory, even in the destruction of the wicked.
16:5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: they shall certainly not be unpunished.
16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.
- (d) Their upright and repenting life will be a token that their sins are forgiven.
16:7 When a man's ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
16:8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
16:9 A man's heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.
- (e) He shows the folly of man who thinks that his ways are in his own hand, and yet is not able to move one foot unless God gives force.
16:10 Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
16:11 Honest balances and scales are Yahweh's; all the weights in the bag are his work.
- (f) If they are true and just, they are God’s work, and he delights in it, but otherwise if they are false, they are the work of the devil, and to their condemnation that use them.
16:12 It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
- (g) They are appointed by God to rule according to equity and justice.
16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
16:14 The king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
- (h) That is, he finds many ways to execute his wrath.
16:15 In the light of the king's face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
- (i) Which is most comfortable to the dry ground.
16:16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
16:17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
16:19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
16:20 He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.
16:21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
- (k) The sweet words of consolation which come from a godly heart.
16:22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
- (l) Either that which the wicked teach others, or else it is folly to teach them who are malicious.
16:23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
16:25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
16:26 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.
16:27 A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
- (m) For he consumes himself and others.
16:28 A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
16:29 A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
16:30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
- (n) With his whole endeavour he labours to bring his wickedness to pass.
16:31 Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
- (o) That is, when it is joined with virtue, or else the older that the wicked are, the more they are to be abhorred.
16:32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.
- (p) So that there is nothing that ought to be attributed to fortune: for all things are determined in the counsel of God which will come to pass.
