The FarAboveAll translation of the Old Testament from the Masoretic Hebrew and Aramaic (WLC). See details on www.FarAboveAll.com.

Version 0.35.76, 26 August 2024

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Proverbs Chapter 16

1Man has resolutions,

But from the Lord comes the spoken answer.

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

But the Lord assesses the nature of spirits.

3Commit your deeds to the Lord,

And your thoughts will be well-grounded.

4The Lord has made everything for his own purpose,

Including even the wicked one for the day of evil.

5Everyone of a haughty heart is an abomination to the Lord,

And he who colludes with them will not be held innocent.

6Iniquity is atoned for by kindness and truth,

And by fear of the Lord,

So as to depart from evil.

7When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord,

He will cause even a man's enemies to be at peace with him.

8A little obtained righteously is better

Than abundance of produce obtained unjustly.

9A man's heart plans his course,

But it is the Lord who directs his steps.

10When there is an oracle on the lips of a king,

His pronouncement will not be perverse in jurisdiction.

11The Lord has a just balance and scales;

All the weights of the bag are his work.

12It is an abomination to kings to act wickedly,

For a throne is established on the basis of righteousness.

13Just pronouncements are the delight of kings,

And he loves him who speaks uprightly.

14The wrath of a king is like angels of death,

But a wise man will appease it.

15In the light of the appearance of the king is life,

And acceptance by him is like a cloud of latter rain.

16How much better it is to acquire wisdom than pure gold,

And how preferable to acquire understanding than silver!

17The course of the upright is to depart from evil;

He who guards his way keeps his life safe.

18Pride comes before a disaster,

And a haughty spirit before ruin.

19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the meek

Than to share spoil with the proud.

20He who acts sensibly in a matter will find good,

And happy is he who trusts in the Lord.

21The wise in heart will be called astute,

And sweet lips add to learning.

22Insight is a source of life to those who possess it,

But correction by fools

Is simply foolishness.

23A wise heart instructs one's mouth

And adds learning to one's lips.

24Pleasant words are a honeycomb

– Sweet to one's sentiments,

And healing to the body.

25There is a way which seems right from man's perspective,

But its end is the ways of death.

26A person who toils

Toils for himself,

For his aspirations urge him on.

27A useless man plots evil,

And what is on his lips is like a scorching fire.

28A subversive man launches into contention,

And a gossipmonger separates friends.

29A malevolent man deceives his neighbour

And leads him on a way which is not good.

30He who shuts his eyes

So as to contemplate subversion

Seals his lips

And concludes evil intent.

31Grey hairs constitute a crown of splendour

If it is acquired on the righteous way.

32A man of forbearance is better than a warrior,

And one who can control his spirit

Is better than one who can capture a city.

33One's lot is cast into the lap,

But from the Lord comes all his judgment.

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