Proverbs 16

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.	1 Man may make plans in his heart, but what the tongue utters is from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.	2 All the ways of a man may be pure in his own eyes, but it is the LORD who proves the spirit.
3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.	3 Entrust your works to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.	4 The LORD has made everything for his own ends, even the wicked for the evil day.
5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.	5 Every proud man is an abomination to the LORD; I assure you that he will not go unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.	6 By kindness and piety guilt is expiated, and by the fear of the LORD man avoids evil.
7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.	7 When the LORD is pleased with a man's ways, he makes even his enemies be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.	8 Better a little with virtue, than a large income with injustice.
9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.	9 In his mind a man plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.	10 The king's lips are an oracle; no judgment he pronounces is false.
11 A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work.	11 Balance and scales belong to the LORD; all the weights used with them are his concern.
12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.	12 Kings have a horror of wrongdoing, for by righteousness the throne endures.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.	13 The king takes delight in honest lips, and the man who speaks what is right he loves.
14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.	14 The king's wrath is like messengers of death, but a wise man can pacify it.
15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.	15 In the light of the king's countenance is life, and his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!	16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.	17 The path of the upright avoids misfortune; he who pays attention to his way safeguards his life.
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.	18 Pride goes before disaster, 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.	19 It is better to be humble with the meek than to share plunder with the proud.
20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.	20 He who plans a thing will be successful; happy is he who trusts in the LORD!
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.	21 The wise man is esteemed for his discernment, yet pleasing speech increases his persuasiveness.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.	22 Good sense is a fountain of life to its possessor, but folly brings chastisement on fools.
23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.	23 The mind of the wise man makes him eloquent, and augments the persuasiveness of his lips.
24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.	24 Pleasing words are a honeycomb, sweet to the taste and healthful to the body.
25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.	25 Sometimes a way seems right to a man, but the end of it leads to death!
26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.	26 The laborer's appetite labors for him, for his mouth urges him on.
27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.	27 A scoundrel is a furnace of evil, and on his lips there is a scorching fire.
28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.	28 An intriguer sows discord, and a talebearer separates bosom friends.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.	29 A lawless man allures 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.	30 He who winks his eye is plotting trickery; he who compresses his lips has mischief ready.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.	31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by virtuous living.
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.	32 A patient man is better than a warrior, and he who rules his temper, than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.	33 When the lot is cast into the lap, its decision depends entirely on the LORD.