Pro 16 | HCSB | STEP | The reflections of the heart belong to man , but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord .

Proverbs 16

1 The reflections of the heart belong to man,

but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. ^a

2 All a man’s ways seem right to him,
but the Lord evaluates the motives. ^{▼▼Lit weighs spirits
,} ^c

3 Commit your activities to the Lord,
and your plans will be achieved. ^d

4 The Lord has prepared everything for His purpose –
even the wicked for the day of disaster. ^e

5 Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord; ^f
be assured, ^{▼▼Lit hand to hand} he will not go unpunished. ^h

6 Wickedness is ^{▼▼atone/ atonement: A theological term for God's provision to deal with human sin. In the OT, it primarily means purification. In some contexts forgiveness, pardon, expiation, propitiation, or reconciliation is included. The basis of atonement is substitutionary sacrifice offered in faith. The OT sacrifices were types and shadows of the great and final sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.}atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, ^j
and one turns from evil by the ^{▼▼fear(s) God or the Lord/ the fear of the Lord: No single English word conveys every aspect of the word fear in this phrase. The meaning includes worshipful submission, reverential awe, and obedient respect to the covenant-keeping God of Israel.}fear of the Lord. ^l

7 When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He ^{▼▼Or he} makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. ⁿ

8 Better a little with righteousness
than great income with injustice. ^o

9 A man’s heart plans his way,
but the Lord determines his steps. ^p

10 God’s verdict is on the lips of a king; ^{▼▼Or A divination is on the lips of a king
,} ^r
his mouth should not give an unfair judgment. ^s

11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag ^{▼▼Merchants kept the stones for their scales in a bag.} are His concern. ^u

12 Wicked behavior ^{▼▼Either the king’s or someone else’s behavior} is detestable to kings, ^w
since a throne is established through righteousness. ^x

13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight,
and he loves one who speaks honestly.

14 A king’s fury is a messenger of death,
but a wise man appeases it. ^y

15 When a king’s face lights up, there is life;
his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

16 Get wisdom –
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding –
it is preferable to silver. ^z

17 The highway of the upright ^aa avoids evil;
the one who guards his way protects his life. ^ab

18 Pride comes before destruction,
and an arrogant spirit before a fall. ^ac

19 Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble ^{▼▼Alt Hb tradition reads afflicted
,} ^ae
than to divide plunder with the proud. ^af

20 The one who understands a matter finds success, ^ag
and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy. ^ah

21 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,
and pleasant speech ^{▼▼Lit and sweetness of lips} increases learning. ^aj

22 Insight is a fountain of life ^ak for its possessor,
but the discipline of fools is folly.

23 A wise heart instructs its mouth
and increases learning with its speech. ^{▼▼Lit learning upon his lips
,} ^am

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb: ^an
sweet to the taste ^{▼▼Lit throat} and health to the body. ^{▼▼Lit bones
,} ^aq

25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death. ^ar

26 A worker’s appetite works for him
because his hunger ^{▼▼Lit mouth} urges him on.

27 A worthless man digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire. ^at

28 A contrary man spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends. ^au

29 A violent man lures his neighbor, ^av
leading him in a way that is not good. ^aw

30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;
the one who compresses his lips brings about evil. ^ax

31 Gray hair is a glorious crown; ^ay
it is found in the way of righteousness. ^az

32 Patience is better than power,
and controlling one’s temper, ^{▼▼Lit and ruling over one’s spirit} than capturing a city. ^bb

33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord. ^bc