Proverbs 16

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 It is for man to prepare the soul, and for 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 one who weighs 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 Open your works to the Lord, and your intentions will be set in order.	3 Entrust your works to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
4 The Lord has wrought all things because of himself. Likewise the impious is for the evil day.	4 The LORD has made everything for his own ends, even the wicked for the evil day.
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.	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, one turns away 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 will 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 many fruits with iniquity.	8 Better a little with virtue, than a large income with injustice.
9 The heart of man disposes his way. But it is for Lord to direct his steps.	9 In his mind a man plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
10 Foreknowledge 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 Weights and scales are judgments of the Lord. And all the stones in the bag are his work.	11 Balance and scales belong to the LORD; all the weights used with them are his concern.
12 Those who act impiously are abominable to the king. For the throne is made firm by justice.	12 Kings have a horror of wrongdoing, for by righteousness the throne endures.
13 Just lips are the will of kings. He who speaks honestly shall be loved.	13 The king takes delight in honest lips, and the man who speaks what is right he loves.
14 The indignation of a king is a herald of death. And the wise man will appease 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, there is life. And his clemency is like belated rain.	15 In the light of the king's countenance is life, and his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 Possess wisdom, for it is better than gold. And acquire 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 turns away from evils. He who guards his soul preserves his way.	17 The path of the upright avoids misfortune; he who pays attention to his way safeguards his life.
18 Arrogance precedes destruction. And the spirit is exalted 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 arrogant.	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 whoever hopes in the Lord is blessed.	20 He who plans a thing will be successful; happy is he who trusts in the LORD!
21 Whoever is wise in heart shall be called prudent. And whoever is sweet in eloquence shall attain to what is greater.	21 The wise man is esteemed for his discernment, yet pleasing speech increases his persuasiveness.
22 Learning is a fountain of life to one who possesses it. The doctrine of the foolish is senseless.	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 add grace to his lips.	23 The mind of the wise man makes him eloquent, and augments the persuasiveness of his lips.
24 Careful words are a honeycomb: sweet to the soul and healthful to the bones.	24 Pleasing words are a honeycomb, sweet to the taste and healthful to the body.
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, and its end result leads to death.	25 Sometimes a way seems right to a man, but the end of it leads to death!
26 The soul of the laborer labors for himself, because his mouth has driven him to it.	26 The laborer's appetite labors for him, for his mouth urges him on.
27 The impious man digs up 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 stirs up lawsuits. And one who is verbose divides leaders.	28 An intriguer sows discord, and a talebearer separates bosom friends.
29 A man of iniquity entices his friend, and he leads him along a way that is not good.	29 A lawless man allures his neighbor, and leads him into a way that is not good.
30 Whoever, with astonished eyes, thinks up depravities, biting his lips, accomplishes evil.	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 A patient man is better than a strong one. And whoever rules his soul is better than one who assaults 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 tempered by the Lord.	33 When the lot is cast into the lap, its decision depends entirely on the LORD.