Proverbs
Chapter 16
This chapter is a collection of short sayings about God, kings, and speech. It repeats one idea in many forms: people make plans, but the LORD decides what actually happens. It also warns about pride, praises kind words and self-control, and says honest scales and even the roll of a lot are in God's hands.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
1People make plans in their hearts. But the answer that comes out of the mouth is from the LORD.
2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
2A person thinks everything he does is right. But the LORD weighs what is really behind it.
3Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
3Give what you do to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
4The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
4The LORD made everything for his own purpose. Even the wicked have their day of trouble coming.
5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
5The LORD hates a proud heart. You can be sure of this: proud people will be punished.
6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
6Love and faithfulness cover over sin. When people respect the LORD, they turn away from evil.
7When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
7When the way a person lives pleases the LORD, God makes even his enemies live at peace with him.
8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
8Having a little and doing right is better than having a lot by cheating.
9A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
9A person plans his own path in his heart. But the LORD decides each step he takes.
10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
10A king's word carries the weight of a decision from God. So his mouth must not twist what is fair.
11A just weight and balance are the LORD’s: all the weights of the bag are his work.
11Honest scales and balances come from the LORD. Every weight in the bag is his concern.
A 'balance' was a set of scales, and merchants carried stone weights in a bag. Cheating meant using weights that were too light or too heavy.
12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
12Kings should hate doing wrong, because a throne stands firm when the king does right.
13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
13Kings are glad to hear honest words. They love the person who speaks the truth.
14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
14An angry king is like a messenger bringing death. But a wise person can calm him down.
15In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
15When a king's face lights up, it means life. His kindness is like a rain cloud in spring.
In that land the 'latter rain' fell in spring, right when crops needed it. So a rain cloud then was very good news.
16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
16It is much better to gain wisdom than gold! Understanding is worth more than silver.
17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
17The road that honest people travel leads away from evil. Whoever watches his path guards his life.
18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
18Pride comes before you are destroyed. A proud spirit comes before you fall.
19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
19It is better to be humble along with humble people than to split stolen goods with the proud.
20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
20Whoever pays attention to good teaching will do well. And the person who trusts the LORD is happy.
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
21People call a wise person smart. Kind, pleasant words help others learn more.
22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
22Understanding is a fresh spring of life to the person who has it. But fools are taught by their own foolishness.
23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
23A wise person's heart guides what he says. It makes his words worth listening to.
24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
24Kind words are like honey. They are sweet inside and bring healing to the body.
25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
25There is a path that looks right to a person. But in the end it leads to death.
26He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
26A worker's hunger works for him. His empty stomach keeps him going.
27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
27A worthless man digs up trouble. His words burn like a fire.
The KJV says 'ungodly,' but the Hebrew word means a worthless or good-for-nothing man.
28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
28A twisted person stirs up fights. Someone who spreads gossip splits up close friends.
29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
29A violent man talks his neighbor into joining him. He leads him down a bad road.
30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
30He winks his eye while he plans something crooked. He presses his lips together and does the harm.
31The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
31Gray hair is a crown of honor. It is earned by living a good and honest life.
32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
32Being slow to get angry is better than being a strong fighter. Ruling your own temper beats capturing a city.
33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
33People throw the lot into the lap to decide something. But the LORD decides how it lands.
A 'lot' was like a marked stone or stick, thrown to make a choice, similar to rolling dice.
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