Proverbs 16 - Modern English Version

¹ The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the Lord.

² All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.

³ Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

⁴ The Lord works out all things for Himself, even the wicked for the day of evil.

⁵ Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

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 makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

⁸ Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without justice.

⁹ The heart of man devises his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

¹⁰ An oracle is on the lips of the king; his mouth must not transgress in judgment.

¹¹ A just weight and balance belong to the Lord; all the weights of the bag are His concern.

¹² It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness, for the throne is established through righteousness.

¹³ Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings; they love him who speaks what is right.

¹⁴ The wrath of kings is as messengers of death, but a man of wisdom will appease it.

¹⁵ In the light of the king’s countenance is life, and his favor is like a cloud of a spring rain.

¹⁶ How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding than silver!

¹⁷ The highway of the upright departs from evil; he who guards his way preserves his soul.

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

¹⁹ Better it is to be of a humble spirit among the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.

²⁰ He who wisely heeds a word will find good, and he who trusts in the Lord, happy is he.

²¹ The wise of heart will be called prudent, and the sweetness of the lips increases learning.

²² Understanding is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the discipline of fools is folly.

²³ The heart of the wise guides his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

²⁴ Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

²⁶ The appetite of a laborer works for him; his hunger urges him on.

²⁷ An ungodly man digs up evil; in his speech is a scorching fire.

²⁸ A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

²⁹ A violent man entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.

³⁰ He winks his eyes to plot perverse things; pursing his lips, he brings evil to pass.

³¹ The silvery hair is a crown of glory; it is found in the way of righteousness.

³² He who is slow to anger 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 decision thereof is from the Lord.