Proverbs 16

Contrasting proverbs address the sovereignty of God over human plans, the heart of the king in the LORD's hand, and the pride that goes before destruction. A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps, and a wise man's words are gracious and persuasive.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.	The preparations of the heart in man and the answer of the tongue are from the LORD.
2	All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.	All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirits.
3	Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.	Commit Your works to the LORD, and Your thoughts will be established.
4	The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.	The LORD has made all things for Himself, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5	Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.	Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; though hand join in hand, He will not be unpunished.
6	By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.	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 maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.	When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even His enemies to be at peace with Him.
8	Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.	Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without justice.
9	A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.	A man's heart devises his way; but the LORD directs His steps.
10	A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.	A divine sentence is on the lips of the king; his mouth does not transgress in judgment.
11	A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work.	A just weight and balance are the LORD's; all the weights of the bag are His work.
12	It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.	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 him that speaketh right.	Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love Him who speaks rightly.
14	The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.	The wrath of a king is like messengers of death; but a wise man will pacify it.
15	In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.	In the light of the king's countenance is life, and his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.
16	How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!	How much better it is to get wisdom than gold, and to get understanding rather than silver!
17	The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.	The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18	Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.	Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19	Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.	It is better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20	He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.	He who handles a matter wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is He.
21	The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.	The wise in heart will be called prudent, and the sweetness of the lips increases learning.
22	Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.	Understanding is a wellspring of life to Him who has it; but the instruction of fools is folly.
23	The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.	The heart of the wise teaches His mouth and adds learning to His lips.
24	Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.	Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones.
25	There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.	There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the ways of death.
26	He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.	He who labors, labors for himself, for his mouth urges Him on.
27	An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.	An ungodly man digs up evil, and on His lips there is as a burning fire.
28	A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.	A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
29	A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.	A violent man entices His neighbor and leads Him into a way that is not good.
30	He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.	He shuts His eyes to devise perverse things; moving His lips, He brings evil to pass.
31	The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.	The gray head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.
32	He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.	He who is longsuffering is better than the mighty, and He who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33	The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.	The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.