16:1 The plans of the mind belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
16:1 The plans of the mind belong to mortals, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

16:2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.
16:2 All one's ways may be pure in one's own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.

16:3 Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.
16:3 Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

16:4 The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
16:4 The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

16:5 Every one who is arrogant is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
16:5 All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the LORD; be assured, they will not go unpunished.

16:6 By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.
16:6 By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one avoids evil.

16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
16:7 When the ways of people please the LORD, he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.

16:8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
16:8 Better is a little with righteousness than large income with injustice.

16:9 A man's mind plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.
16:9 The human mind plans the way, but the LORD directs the steps.

16:10 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.
16:10 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.

16:11 A just balance and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his work.
16:11 Honest balances and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his work.

16:12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.
16:12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.

16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.
16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves those who speak what is right.

16:14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it.
16:14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and whoever is wise will appease it.

16:15 In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16:15 In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

16:16 To get wisdom is better than gold; to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

16:17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; he who guards his way preserves his life.
16:17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their way preserve their lives.

16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

16:19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
16:19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

16:20 He who gives heed to the word will prosper, and happy is he who trusts in the LORD.
16:20 Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper, and happy are those who trust in the LORD.

16:21 The wise of heart is called a man of discernment, and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
16:21 The wise of heart is called perceptive, and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.

16:22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it, but folly is the chastisement of fools.
16:22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it, but folly is the punishment of fools.

16:23 The mind of the wise makes his speech judicious, and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
16:23 The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious, and adds persuasiveness to their lips.

16:24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
16:24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

16:25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
16:25 Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right, but in the end it is the way to death.

16:26 A worker's appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.
16:26 The appetite of workers works for them; their hunger urges them on.

16:27 A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
16:27 Scoundrels concoct evil, and their speech is like a scorching fire.

16:28 A perverse man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
16:28 A perverse person spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

16:29 A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.
16:29 The violent entice their neighbors, and lead them in a way that is not good.

16:30 He who winks his eyes plans perverse things, he who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.
16:30 One who winks the eyes plans perverse things; one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.

16:31 A hoary head is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.
16:31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.

16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
16:32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.

16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly from the LORD.
16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is the LORD's alone.