Proverbs 16

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 The plans of the mind belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.	1 It is for man to prepare the soul, and for the Lord to govern the tongue.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.	2 All the ways of a man are open to his eyes; the Lord is the one who weighs spirits.
3 Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.	3 Open your works to the Lord, and your intentions will be set in order.
4 The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.	4 The Lord has wrought all things because of himself. Likewise the impious is for the evil day.
5 Every one who is arrogant is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.	5 All the arrogant are an abomination to the Lord. Even if hand will be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice. And this is more acceptable with God than to immolate sacrifices.
6 By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.	6 By mercy and truth, iniquity is redeemed. And by the fear of the Lord, one turns away from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.	7 When the ways of man will please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.	8 Better is a little with justice, than many fruits with iniquity.
9 A man's mind plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.	9 The heart of man disposes his way. But it is for Lord to direct his steps.
10 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.	10 Foreknowledge is in the lips of the king. His mouth shall not err in judgment.
11 A just balance and scales are the LORDs; all the weights in the bag are his work.	11 Weights and scales are judgments of the Lord. And all the stones in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.	12 Those who act impiously are abominable to the king. For the throne is made firm by justice.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.	13 Just lips are the will of kings. He who speaks honestly shall be loved.
14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it.	14 The indignation of a king is a herald of death. And the wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.	15 In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance, there is life. And his clemency is like belated rain.
16 To get wisdom is better than gold; to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.	16 Possess wisdom, for it is better than gold. And acquire prudence, for it is more precious than silver.
17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; he who guards his way preserves his life.	17 The path of the just turns away from evils. He who guards his soul preserves his way.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.	18 Arrogance precedes destruction. And the spirit is exalted before a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.	19 It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the arrogant.
20 He who gives heed to the word will prosper, and happy is he who trusts in the LORD.	20 The learned in word shall find good things. And whoever hopes in the Lord is blessed.
21 The wise of heart is called a man of discernment, and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.	21 Whoever is wise in heart shall be called prudent. And whoever is sweet in eloquence shall attain to what is greater.
22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it, but folly is the chastisement of fools.	22 Learning is a fountain of life to one who possesses it. The doctrine of the foolish is senseless.
23 The mind of the wise makes his speech judicious, and adds persuasiveness to his lips.	23 The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth and add grace to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.	24 Careful words are a honeycomb: sweet to the soul and healthful to the bones.
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.	25 There is a way which seems right to a man, and its end result leads to death.
26 A worker's appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.	26 The soul of the laborer labors for himself, because his mouth has driven him to it.
27 A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.	27 The impious man digs up evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.
28 A perverse man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.	28 A perverse man stirs up lawsuits. And one who is verbose divides leaders.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.	29 A man of iniquity entices his friend, and he leads him along a way that is not good.
30 He who winks his eyes plans perverse things, he who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.	30 Whoever, with astonished eyes, thinks up depravities, biting his lips, accomplishes evil.
31 A hoary head is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.	31 Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.	32 A patient man is better than a strong one. And whoever rules his soul is better than one who assaults cities.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly from the LORD.	33 Lots are cast into the lap, but they are tempered by the Lord.