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The Proverbs

⭑ King James Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 16 -

The Lord and the ways of men

1
The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord .(a)
2
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.
3
Commit thy works unto the Lord , and thy thoughts shall be established.(b)
4
The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, 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.(c)
6
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.
8
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9
A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
10
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.(d)
11
A just weight and balance are the Lord’s : all the weights of the bag are his work.(e)

Wisdom - the source of life

12
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.
14
The wrath of a king is as 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.
16
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18
Pride goeth before destruction, and an 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.
20
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord , happy is he.(f)
21
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.(g)
24
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

The wicked and deceitful man

25
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26
He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.(h) (i)
27
An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.(j)
28
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.(k)
29
A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30
He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be 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.
33
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord .

Footnotes

(a)16:1 preparations: or, disposings
(b)16:3 Commit: Heb. Roll
(c)16:5 unpunished: Heb. held innocent
(d)16:10 A divine…: Heb. Divination
(e)16:11 the weights: Heb. the stones
(f)16:20 handleth…: or, understandeth a matter
(g)16:23 teacheth: Heb. maketh wise
(h)16:26 He…: Heb. The soul of him that
(i)16:26 craveth…: Heb. boweth unto him
(j)16:27 An…: Heb. A man of Belial
(k)16:28 soweth: Heb. sendeth forth

The Lord and the ways of men

1
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.
3
Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.
4
The LORD 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 the LORD; they shall certainly not be unpunished.
6
By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7
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 with injustice.
9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD 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 the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.

Wisdom - the source of life

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, 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 the LORD 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.

The wicked and deceitful man

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 the LORD.
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