Shared Word Translation
Proverbs 16
The LORD Establishes the Way
The plans of the heart
belong to a person,
but the answer of the tongue
comes from the LORD.
All a person’s ways
are pure in their own eyes,
but the LORD weighs
the spirits.
Commit your works to the LORD,
and your plans
will be established.
The LORD has made everything
for its purpose,
even the wicked
for a day of trouble.
Everyone proud in heart
is an abomination to the LORD;
be assured,
they will not go unpunished.
Through steadfast love and faithfulness
guilt is covered,
and through the fear of the LORD
one turns away from evil.
When a person’s ways
please the LORD,
even their enemies
are made to be at peace with them.
Better is a little
with righteousness
than abundant income
without justice.
A person’s heart plans their way,
but the LORD
establishes their steps.
An oracle is on the lips of a king;
in judgment
his mouth must not betray justice.
Honest Measures and Wise Rule
Honest balances and scales
belong to the LORD;
all the weights in the bag
are the LORD’s concern.
Doing wickedness
is an abomination to kings,
for a throne is established
through righteousness.
Righteous lips
are a king’s delight,
and the king loves
one who speaks what is upright.
A king’s wrath
is a messenger of death,
but a wise person
will appease it.
In the light of a king’s face
there is life,
and the king’s favor
is like a cloud of spring rain.
Wisdom Is Better Than Gold
How much better
to acquire wisdom than gold!
To acquire understanding
is preferable to silver.
The highway of the upright
turns away from evil;
whoever guards their way
protects their life.
Pride comes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit
before a fall.
Better to be lowly in spirit
with the poor
than to divide plunder
with the proud.
Whoever pays attention to a matter
will find good,
and blessed is the one
who trusts in the LORD.
The wise in heart
are called discerning,
and sweetness of speech
increases persuasiveness.
Understanding is a fountain of life
to the one who possesses it,
but the discipline of fools
is folly.
The heart of the wise
makes their mouth discerning
and adds persuasiveness
to their lips.
Pleasant words
are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul
and healing to the body.
There is a way
that seems right to a person,
but its end
is the way of death.
The Power of Speech and Self-Control
A worker’s appetite
works for them,
for their mouth
urges them onward.
A worthless person
digs up evil,
and their speech
is like scorching fire.
A perverse person
sows conflict,
and a gossip
separates close friends.
A violent person
entices a neighbor
and leads them
into a way that is not good.
One who closes their eyes
is planning perversity;
one who purses the lips
brings evil to pass.
Gray hair is a crown of glory
when it is found
in the way of righteousness.
One slow to anger
is better than a warrior,
and one who rules their spirit
than one who captures a city.
The lot is cast into the lap,
but every decision from it
is from the LORD.