Proverbs 16

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to govern the tongue.	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 open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of 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 Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed.	3 Entrust your works to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
4 The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day.	4 The LORD has made everything for his own ends, even the wicked for the evil day.
5 Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should 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 offer sacrifices.	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 redeemed: 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 the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.	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 justice, than great revenues with iniquity.	8 Better a little with virtue, than a large income with injustice.
9 The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps.	9 In his mind a man plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
10 Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.	10 The king's lips are an oracle; no judgment he pronounces is false.
11 Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all the weights of the bag.	11 Balance and scales belong to the LORD; all the weights used with them are his concern.
12 They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established by justice.	12 Kings have a horror of wrongdoing, for by righteousness the throne endures.
13 Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right things shall be loved.	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 : and the 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 cheerfulness of the king's countenance is life: and his clemency is like 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 Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver.	16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.
17 The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his way.	17 The path of the upright avoids misfortune; he who pays attention to his way safeguards his life.
18 Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.	18 Pride goes before disaster, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.	19 It is better to be humble with the meek than to share plunder with the proud.
20 The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is blessed.	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 he that is sweet in words shall attain to greater things.	21 The wise man is esteemed for his discernment, yet pleasing speech increases his persuasiveness.
22 Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness.	22 Good sense is a fountain of life to its possessor, but folly brings chastisement on fools.
23 The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.	23 The mind of the wise man makes him eloquent, and augments the persuasiveness of his lips.
24 Well ordered words are as a 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 to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death.	25 Sometimes a way seems right to a man, but the end of it leads to death!
26 The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it.	26 The laborer's appetite labors for him, for his mouth urges him on.
27 The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.	27 A scoundrel is a furnace of evil, and on his lips there is a scorching fire.
28 A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes.	28 An intriguer sows discord, and a talebearer separates bosom friends.
29 An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way that is not good	29 A lawless man allures his neighbor, and leads him into a way that is not good.
30 He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth: evil to pass.	30 He who winks his eye is plotting trickery; he who compresses his lips has mischief ready.
31 Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.	31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by virtuous living.
32 The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities.	32 A patient man is better than a warrior, and he who rules his temper, than he who takes a city.
33 Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.	33 When the lot is cast into the lap, its decision depends entirely on the LORD.