The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Proverbs 16
1 The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from
Yahweh.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own
eyes, but Yahweh weighs the motives.
3 Commit your deeds to Yahweh,
and your plans shall succeed.
4 Yahweh has made everything for its own
end— yes, eventhe wicked for the day of evil.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an
abomination to Yahweh; they shall certainly
not be unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for.
By the fear of Yahweh men depart
from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please Yahweh,
he makes even his enemies to be at
peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness,
than great revenues with injustice.
9 A man’s heart plans his course,
but Yahweh directs his steps.
10 Inspired judgments are on the lips of the
king. He shall not betray his mouth.
11 Honest balances and scales are Yahweh’s;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination for kings to do
wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings.
They value one who speaks the truth.
14 The king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
but a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of the king’s face is life.
His favor is like a cloud of the spring
rain.
16 How much better itis to get wisdom than
gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart
from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his
soul.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the
poor, than to divide the plunder with the
proud.
20 He who heeds the Word finds prosperity.
Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.
21 The wise inheart shall be called prudent.
Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
22 Understanding is a fountain oflife to one
who has it, but the punishment of fools is their
folly.
23 The heart of the wise instructs his
mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul, and health to the
bones.
25 There is a way which seems right to a
man, but in the end it leads to death.
26 The appetite of the laboring man labors
for him, for his mouth urges him on.
27 A worthless man devises mischief.
His speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A perverse man stirs up strife.
A whisperer separates close friends.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor,
andleadshimina way thatisnot good.
30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities,
one who compresses his lips, is bent
on evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory.
It is attained by a life of righteousness.
32 One who is slow to anger is better than
the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who
takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from Yahweh.