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Proverbs 16
Heavy with sayings about kings and the LORD's sovereignty, this chapter frames human planning against divine oversight: a man arranges his course, but his steps are directed for him. The opening and closing verses bracket the rest with the same idea — even the lot cast into the lap has its decision from the LORD. Watch how the proverbs on royal favor, wrath, and honest scales sit beside the famous warning that pride goes before destruction. Speech runs through it too: pleasant words as honeycomb, a worthless man's scorching talk.
- 1
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
- 2
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.
- 3
Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.
- 4
The LORD has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
- 5
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; they shall certainly not be unpunished.
- 6
By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
- 7
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
- 8
Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
- 9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
- 10
Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
- 11
Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.
- 12
It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
- 13
Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
- 14
The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
- 15
In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
- 16
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
- 17
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
- 18
Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
- 19
It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
- 20
He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.
- 21
The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
- 22
Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
- 23
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
- 24
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
- 25
There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
- 26
The appetite of the laboring man labors for him, for his mouth urges him on.
- 27
A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
- 28
A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
- 29
A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
- 30
One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
- 31
Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
- 32
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
- 33
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
- 1
DEL hombre son las disposiciones del corazón: mas de Jehová la respuesta de la lengua.
- 2
Todos los caminos del hombre son limpios en su opinión: mas Jehová pesa los espíritus.
- 3
Encomienda á Jehová tus obras, y tus pensamientos serán afirmados.
- 4
Todas las cosas ha hecho Jehová por sí mismo, y aun al impío para el día malo.
- 5
Abominación es á Jehová todo altivo de corazón: aunque esté mano sobre mano, no será reputado inocente.
- 6
Con misericordia y verdad se corrige el pecado: y con el temor de Jehová se apartan del mal los hombres.
- 7
Cuando los caminos del hombre son agradables á Jehová, aun á sus enemigos pacificará con él.
- 8
Mejor es lo poco con justicia, que la muchedumbre de frutos sin derecho.
- 9
El corazón del hombre piensa su camino: mas Jehová endereza sus pasos.
- 10
Adivinación está en los labios del rey: en juicio no prevaricará su boca.
- 11
Peso y balanzas justas son de Jehová: obra suya son todas las pesas de la bolsa.
- 12
Abominación es á los reyes hacer impiedad: porque con justicia será afirmado el trono.
- 13
Los labios justos son el contentamiento de los reyes; y aman al que habla lo recto.
- 14
La ira del rey es mensajero de muerte: mas el hombre sabio la evitará.
- 15
En la alegría del rostro del rey está la vida; y su benevolencia es como nube de lluvia tardía.
- 16
Mejor es adquirir sabiduría que oro preciado; y adquirir inteligencia vale más que la plata.
- 17
El camino de los rectos es apartarse del mal: su alma guarda el que guarda su camino.
- 18
Antes del quebrantamiento es la soberbia; y antes de la caída la altivez de espíritu.
- 19
Mejor es humillar el espíritu con los humildes, que partir despojos con los soberbios.
- 20
El entendido en la palabra, hallará el bien: y el que confía en Jehová, él es bienaventurado.
- 21
El sabio de corazón es llamado entendido: y la dulzura de labios aumentará la doctrina.
- 22
Manantial de vida es el entendimiento al que lo posee: mas la erudición de los necios es necedad.
- 23
El corazón del sabio hace prudente su boca; y con sus labios aumenta la doctrina.
- 24
Panal de miel son los dichos suaves: suavidad al alma y medicina á los huesos.
- 25
Hay camino que parece derecho al hombre, mas su salida son caminos de muerte.
- 26
El alma del que trabaja, trabaja para sí; porque su boca le constriñe.
- 27
El hombre perverso cava el mal; y en sus labios hay como llama de fuego.
- 28
El hombre perverso levanta contienda; y el chismoso aparta los mejores amigos.
- 29
El hombre malo lisonjea á su prójimo, y le hace andar por el camino no bueno:
- 30
Cierra sus ojos para pensar perversidades; mueve sus labios, efectúa el mal.
- 31
Corona de honra es la vejez, que se hallará en el camino de justicia.
- 32
Mejor es el que tarde se aira que el fuerte; y el que se enseñorea de su espíritu, que el que toma una ciudad.
- 33
La suerte se echa en el seno: mas de Jehová es el juicio de ella.
Plans proposed, steps disposed
Verses 1, 3, 9, and 33 form a quiet refrain: people make plans, but outcomes belong to God. It is not a denial of effort — verse 26 praises the laborer whose hunger drives him — but a limit set on confidence.
Set within that frame, the king-sayings (vv. 10-15) show earthly authority as real yet answerable, and verse 32 quietly outranks conquest itself: ruling one's own spirit beats taking a city.
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