Proverbs 16

1 The plans [preparations, arrangements, strategies] of the heart [the seat of feelings, will, and intellect] belong to man [human beings, Adam’s descendants], but the reply [answer, response] of the tongue [the instrument of speech, language] is from the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God, the Jewish faith’s one true God]. word study 2 All [every, the whole of] a man’s [human, individual] ways [path, manner of life] are pure [clean, righteous] in his own eyes [sight, perception], but his motives [thoughts, intentions] are weighed out [measured, evaluated] by the LORD [Yehovah, the divine Judge]. word study 3 Commit [roll unto, trust] your works [deeds, actions] to the LORD [Yehovah, the sovereign God] and your plans [thoughts, purposes] will be achieved [established, succeed]. word study 4 The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] has made [wrought, created] everything [all things, the universe] for His [own] purpose [end, intention]— even the wicked [morally wrong, guilty of sin] for the day [time, period] of disaster [evil, trouble, adversity]. word study 5 Everyone who is proud [lofty] in heart [the seat of feelings, will, and intellect] is [an abomination, detestable] detestable to the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]; be assured [certain, without a doubt] that he will not [under any circumstances] go unpunished [without penalty, acquitted]. word study 6 By loving devotion [kindness, mercy, pity] and faithfulness [truth, stability] iniquity [moral evil, sin] is atoned for [purged, forgiven], and by the fear [reverence, respect] of the LORD [Yehovah, God] one turns aside [departs, removes] from evil [bad, moral harm]. word study 7 When a man’s [mortal, human] ways [path, manner of life] please [are acceptable to, delight] the LORD [Yehovah, the divine Sovereign], He makes [causes, brings about] even [also, too] the man’s enemies [adversaries, those who oppose] live at peace [live in harmony, have tranquility] with him [in his presence, near him]. word study 8 Better [more desirable, preferable] a little [a small amount, minimal] with righteousness [justice, moral integrity] than great [abundant, plentiful] gain [revenue, produce] with injustice [wrongdoing, unrighteousness]. word study 9 A man’s [human, mortal] heart [the center of feelings, will, and intellect] plans [devises, thinks out] his course [way, path of life], but the LORD [Yehovah, the sovereign God] determines [directs, guides] his steps [path, journey]. word study 10 A divine [inspired] verdict [decision, judgment] is on the lips [language, words] of a king [ruler, monarch]; his mouth [speech, expression] must not [under no circumstances] betray [be unfaithful to, act treacherously against] justice [righteous judgment, fairness]. word study 11 Honest [just, true] scales [balances, weighing devices] and balances [scales, measures] are from the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord of all]; all [everything, every part] the weights [stones, measures] in the bag [purse, container] are His [God’s, the Lord’s] concern [work, responsibility, judgment]. word study 12 Wicked [abominable, detestable] behavior is detestable [an abomination] to kings [rulers, royal persons], for a throne [seat of power, authority] is established [set up, founded] through [by means of, because of] righteousness [justice, virtue, morality]. word study 13 Righteous [just, morally upright] lips [words, language] are a king’s [royal person, ruler] delight [acceptance, pleasure], and he who speaks [communicates, expresses] honestly [rightly, with integrity] is beloved [loved, cherished]. word study 14 The wrath [intense anger, rage like a burning fire] of a king [royal person, ruler] is a messenger [representative] of death [natural or violent end], but a wise [intelligent, skilled, or prudent] man [male person, individual] will pacify [calm, soothe, or atone for] it. word study 15 When a king’s [royal person, ruler] face [presence, countenance] brightens [shines, is cheerful], there is [abundant, eternal] life [physical and spiritual, wellbeing]; his favor [acceptance, delight] is like [similar to, comparable with] a [dark, refreshing] rain cloud [thicket] in spring [season of new life, harvest]. word study 16 How much better [far more desirable, more pleasant] to acquire [to buy, to gain] wisdom [prudence, good judgment] than gold [something sharp, valuable]! To gain [to get, to obtain] understanding [discernment, knowledge] is more desirable [to be chosen, preferred] than silver [money, wealth]. word study 17 The highway [public road, raised path] of the upright [just, righteous, having integrity] leads away from evil [moral harm, adversity]; he who guards [keeps, watches over, protects] his way [path, journey, manner of life] protects [preserves, keeps safe] his life [soul, living being, essence]. word study 18 Pride [arrogance, haughty spirit] goes before [in the presence of, preceding] destruction [breaking, shattering], and a haughty [elevated, lofty] spirit [breath of life, mind and emotions] before [in the face of, prior to] a fall [stumbling, ruin]. word study 19 It is better [more desirable, preferable] to be lowly [humble, of a gentle spirit] in spirit [the breath of life, mind and emotions] among the humble [poor, afflicted, meek] than to divide [share, apportion] the spoil [plunder, booty] with the proud [arrogant, lofty, having a high attitude]. word study 20 Whoever heeds [pays attention to, gives heed unto] instruction [wise teaching, the Word] will find [attain, discover] success [good, prosperity], and blessed [happy, fortunate] is he who trusts [has confidence, puts faith] in the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God]. word study 21 The wise [intelligent, skilled] in heart [the seat of feelings, will, and intellect] are called [to be known as] discerning [prudent, understanding], and pleasant [sweet, enjoyable] speech [words, language] promotes [increases, adds to] instruction [teaching, learning, doctrine]. word study 22 Understanding [insight, intelligence, prudence] is a fountain [wellspring, source] of life [physical and spiritual existence] to its possessor [master, owner], but the discipline [correction, guidance] of fools [foolish people, those who despise wisdom] is folly [foolishness, silliness]. word study 23 The heart [the feelings, the will, the mind] of the wise [skilled, intelligent, or prudent] man instructs [teacheth, guideth, or causeth to act wisely] his mouth and adds [increaseth, or increaseth learning to] persuasiveness [learning, doctrine, or the ability to influence] to his lips [language, or the edge of his speech]. word study 24 Pleasant [kind, delightful] words [sayings of pleasantness] are a honeycomb [as sweet as honey], sweet [pleasant, agreeable] to the soul [the essence of a person] and healing [health, restoration] to the bones [the body, the inner being]. word study 25 There is a way [that seems straight, appears right] that seems right [convenient, just] to a man [a male person, individual], but its end [latter part, outcome] is the way [road, path, manner of action] of death [natural or violent, eternal separation]. word study 26 A worker’s [labouring man, one who toils] appetite [strong desire, craving] works for him because his hunger [need of food, emptiness] drives him onward [urges him, motivates him to action]. word study 27 A worthless [ungodly] man [Belial, wicked] digs up [devises, plots] evil [bad, moral harm], and his speech [words, language] is like [as] a scorching [burning, blazing] fire [symbolizing God’s refining presence]. word study 28 A [froward] perverse man [of twisted purposes] spreads [sows, sends forth] dissension [strife, contention], and a [whisperer, tale-bearer] gossip [slanderer, one full of words] divides [separateth, separateth completely] close [chief, intimate] friends [princes, familiar friends]. word study 29 A [wicked] violent man [of great cruelty, chaos] entices [deceives, leads astray] his neighbor [close friend, companion] and leads [guides, directs] him down a path [way, journey] that is [totally, completely] not [lacking, devoid of] good [pleasant, beneficial, welfare]. word study 30 He who winks [closes, shuts] his eye [the source of sight, understanding] devises [plots, plans] perversity [stubbornness, disobedience]; he who purses [compresses, bites] his lips [the edge of the mouth, language] is bent on [determined to do] evil [bad, morally wrong]. word study 31 Gray hair [a crown of dignity] is a crown of glory [beauty]; it is attained [found, discovered] along the path [way, journey] of righteousness [justice, virtue, morality]. word study 32 He who is [patient, slow to react] slow to anger [face, nose, or strong emotion] is better [more pleasant, beneficial] than a [mighty, strong] warrior, and he who [rules, has power over] controls his [mind, emotions, or breath of life] temper is greater [more superior] than one who captures [seizes] a city [town, or fortified place]. word study 33 The lot [allotted portion, pebble used for decision-making] is cast [thrown, tossed] into the lap [bosom, chest area, intimate relationship], but its every decision [judgment, justice] is from the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God, having all authority] [sovereignly guiding all outcomes]. word study