Proverbs 16

The Tongue's Answer is from the Lord

1The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

3Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

4The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

7When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

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

9A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

11A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work.

12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

15In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

26He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

31The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.


The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD

1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Yahweh weighs the motives.

3 Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.

4 Yahweh has made everything for its own end—yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: they shall certainly not be unpunished.

6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.

7 When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.

9 A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.

10 Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.

11 Honest balances and scales are Yahweh’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.

12 It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.

14 The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

15 In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.

16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

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

19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.

20 He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.

21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.

22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.

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

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

25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

26 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.

27 A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.

28 A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.

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

30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.

31 Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.

32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.


The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD

1 The plans of the heart belong to man,

but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.

2 All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes,

but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

3 Commit your works to the LORD

and your plans will be achieved.

4 The LORD has made everything for His purpose—

even the wicked for the day of disaster.

5 Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD;

be assured that he will not go unpunished.

6 By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,

and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.

7 When a man’s ways please the LORD,

He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

8 Better a little with righteousness

than great gain with injustice.

9 A man’s heart plans his course,

but the LORD determines his steps.

10 A divine verdict is on the lips of a king;

his mouth must not betray justice.

11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD;

all the weights in the bag are His concern.

12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,

for a throne is established through righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight,

and he who speaks honestly is beloved.

14 The wrath of a king is a messenger of death,

but a wise man will pacify it.

15 When a king’s face brightens, there is life;

his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold!

To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

17 The highway of the upright leads away from evil;

he who guards his way protects his life.

18 Pride goes before destruction,

and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble

than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20 Whoever heeds instruction will find success, a

and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

21 The wise in heart are called discerning,

and pleasant speech promotes instruction.

22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor,

but the discipline of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth

and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb,

sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man,

but its end is the way of death.

26 A worker’s appetite works for him

because his hunger drives him onward.

27 A worthless man digs up evil,

and his speech b is like a scorching fire.

28 A perverse man spreads dissension,

and a gossip divides close friends.

29 A violent man entices his neighbor

and leads him down a path that is not good.

30 He who winks his eye devises perversity;

he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;

it is attained along the path of righteousness.

32 He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior,

and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap,

but its every decision is from the LORD.

 

Footnotes:

20 a Or Whoever speaks prudently will find what is good
27 b Or and what is on his lips


The Tongue's Answer is from the Lord

1Of man are arrangements of the heart, And from Jehovah an answer of the tongue.

2All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering the spirits.

3Roll unto Jehovah thy works, And established are thy purposes,

4All things hath Jehovah wrought for Himself, And also the wicked worketh for a day of evil.

5An abomination to Jehovah is every proud one of heart, Hand to hand he is not acquitted.

6In kindness and truth pardoned is iniquity, And in the fear of Jehovah Turn thou aside from evil.

7When a man's ways please Jehovah, even his enemies, He causeth to be at peace with him.

8Better is a little with righteousness, Than abundance of increase without justice.

9The heart of man deviseth his way, And Jehovah establisheth his step.

10An oath is on the lips of a king, In judgment his mouth trespasseth not.

11A just beam and balances are Jehovah's, His work are all the stones of the bag.

12An abomination to kings is doing wickedness, For by righteousness is a throne established.

13The delight of kings are righteous lips, And whoso is speaking uprightly he loveth,

14The fury of a king is messengers of death, And a wise man pacifieth it.

15In the light of a king's face is life, And his good-will is as a cloud of the latter rain.

16To get wisdom -- how much better than gold, And to get understanding to be chosen than silver!

17A highway of the upright is, 'Turn from evil,' Whoso is preserving his soul is watching his way.

18Before destruction is pride, And before stumbling -- a haughty spirit.'

19Better is humility of spirit with the poor, Than to apportion spoil with the proud.

20The wise in any matter findeth good, And whoso is trusting in Jehovah, O his happiness.

21To the wise in heart is called, 'Intelligent,' And sweetness of lips increaseth learning.

22A fountain of life is understanding to its possessors, The instruction of fools is folly.

23The heart of the wise causeth his mouth to act wisely, And by his lips he increaseth learning,

24Sayings of pleasantness are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone.

25There is a way right before a man, And its latter end -- ways of death.

26A labouring man hath laboured for himself, For his mouth hath caused him to bend over it.

27A worthless man is preparing evil, And on his lips -- as a burning fire.

28A froward man sendeth forth contention, A tale-bearer is separating a familiar friend.

29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, And hath causeth him to go in a way not good.

30Consulting his eyes to devise froward things, Moving his lips he hath accomplished evil.

31A crown of beauty are grey hairs, In the way of righteousness it is found.

32Better is the slow to anger than the mighty, And the ruler over his spirit than he who is taking a city.

33Into the centre is the lot cast, And from Jehovah is all its judgment!


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Jean Paul
Jean Paul

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. Learn more about the F.O.G.

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