| Chapter 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, even the wicked for the day of evil. --
|
5 |
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: They shall assuredly 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. His 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 it is 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, A haughty 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 gives heed to the word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed. --
|
21 |
The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction. --
|
22 |
Understanding is a fountain of life 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, And leads him in a way that is not 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. --
|