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Chapter 16

AlexandrinusVaticanus

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from Yahweh.

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2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Yahweh weighs the spirits.

16:2 πάντα τὰ ἔργα τοῦ ταπεινοῦ φανερὰ παρὰ τῷ θεῷ, οἱ δὲ ἀσεβεῖς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κακῇ ὀλοῦνται. 16:2 πάντα τὰ ἔργα τοῦ ταπεινοῦ φανερὰ παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ, οἱ δὲ ἀσεβεῖς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κακῇ ὀλοῦνται.
16:2 All of the works of the Lord are done with righteousness; and the ungodly man is kept for the evil day. 16:2 All of the works of the Lord are done with righteousness; and the ungodly man is kept for the evil day.

3 Commit your works to Yahweh, and your thoughts shall be established.

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4 Yahweh has made all things for himself: yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

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5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

16:5 ἀκάθαρτος παρὰ θεῷ πᾶς ὑψηλοκάρδιος, χειρὶ δὲ χεῖρας ἐμβαλὼν ἀδίκως οὐκ ἀθῳωθήσεται. 16:5 ἀκάθαρτος παρὰ Θεῷ πᾶς ὑψηλοκάρδιος, χειρὶ δὲ χεῖρας ἐμβαλὼν ἀδίκως οὐκ ἀθῳωθήσεται.
16:5 Everyone who is proud in heart is unclean before God, and he who unjustly joins hands1 shall not be held guiltless. 16:5 Everyone who is proud in heart is unclean before God, and he who unjustly joins hands1 shall not be held guiltless.
1i.e., to assist in the making of false pledges

6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged; and by the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.

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7 When a man's ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

16:7 ἀρχὴ ὁδοῦ ἀγαθῆς τὸ ποιεῖν τὰ δίκαια, δεκτὰ δὲ παρὰ θεῷ μᾶλλον ἢ θύειν θυσίας. 16:7 ἀρχὴ ὁδοῦ ἀγαθῆς τὸ ποιεῖν τὰ δίκαια, δεκτὰ δὲ παρὰ Θεῷ μᾶλλον ἢ θύειν θυσίας.
16:7 The beginning of a good way is to do justly; and it is more acceptable with God than to offer sacrifices. 16:7 The beginning of a good way is to do justly; and it is more acceptable with God than to offer sacrifices.

8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

16:8 ὁ ζητῶν τὸν κύριον εὑρήσει γνῶσιν μετὰ δικαιοσύνης, οἱ δὲ ὀρθῶς ζητοῦντες αὐτὸν εὑρήσουσιν εἰρήνην. 16:8 ὁ ζητῶν τὸν Κύριον εὑρήσει γνῶσιν μετὰ δικαιοσύνης, οἱ δὲ ὀρθῶς ζητοῦντες αὐτὸν εὑρήσουσιν εἰρήνην.
16:8 He who seeks the Lord will find knowledge with righteousness, and those who seek him correctly will find peace. 16:8 He who seeks the Lord will find knowledge with righteousness, and those who seek him correctly will find peace.

9 A man's heart devises his way; but Yahweh directs his steps.

16:9 πάντα τὰ ἔργα τοῦ κυρίου μετὰ δικαιοσύνης, φυλάσσεται δὲ ὁ ἀσεβὴς εἰς ἡμέραν κακήν. 16:9 πάντας τὰ ἔργα τοῦ Κυρίου μετὰ δικαιοσύνης·
φυλάσσεται δὲ ὁ ἀσεβὴς εἰς ἡμέραν κακήν.
16:9 All the works of the Lord are done with righteousness, but the impious is kept for an evil day. 16:9 All the works of the Lord are done with righteousness, but the impious is kept for an evil day.

10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth doesn't transgress in judgment.

16:10 μαντεῖον ἐπὶ χείλεσιν βασιλέως, ἐν δὲ κρίσει οὐ μὴ πλανηθῇ τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ. 16:10 μαντεῖον ἐπὶ χείλεσι βασιλέως, ἐν δὲ κρίσει οὐ μὴ πλανηθῇ τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ.
16:10 There is an oracle on the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgment. 16:10 There is an oracle on the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgment.

11 A just weight and balance are Yahweh's: all the weights of the bag are his work.

16:11 ῥοπὴ ζυγοῦ δικαιοσύνη παρὰ κυρίῳ, τὰ δὲ ἔργα αὐτοῦ στάθμια δίκαια. 16:11 ῥοπὴ ζυγοῦ δικαιοσύνη παρὰ Κυρίῳ, τὰ δὲ ἔργα αὐτοῦ στάθμια δίκαια.
16:11 The tipping of the scale is righteousness with the Lord, 16:11 The tipping of the scale is righteousness with the Lord,

12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for the throne is established by righteousness.

16:12 βδέλυγμα βασιλεῖ ὁ ποιῶν κακά, μετὰ γὰρ δικαιοσύνης ἑτοιμάζεται θρόνος ἀρχῆς. 16:12 βδέλυγμα βασιλεῖ ὁ ποιῶν κακά, μετὰ γὰρ δικαιοσύνης ἑτοιμάζεται θρόνος ἀρχῆς.
16:12 An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness. 16:12 An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him who speaks right.

16:13 δεκτὰ βασιλεῖ χείλη δίκαια, λόγους δὲ ὀρθοὺς ἀγαπᾷ. 16:13 δεκτὰ βασιλεῖ χείλη δίκαια, λόγους δὲ ὀρθοὺς ἀγαπᾷ.
16:13 Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words. 16:13 Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.

14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death; but a wise man will pacify it.

16:14 θυμὸς βασιλέως ἄγγελος θανάτου, ἀνὴρ δὲ σοφὸς ἐξιλάσεται αὐτόν. 16:14 θυμὸς βασιλέως ἄγγελος θανάτου, ἀνὴρ δὲ σοφὸς ἐξιλάσεται αὐτόν.
16:14 The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him. 16:14 The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.

15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

16:15 ἐν φωτὶ ζωῆς υἱὸς βασιλέως, οἱ δὲ προσδεκτοὶ αὐτῷ ὥσπερ νέφος ὄψιμον. 16:15 ἐν φωτὶ ζωῆς υἱὸς βασιλέως, οἱ δὲ προσδεκτοὶ αὐτῷ ὥσπερ νέφος ὄψιμον.
16:15 The son of a king is in the light of life; and they who are in favour with him are as a cloud of latter rain. 16:15 The son of a king is in the light of life; and they who are in favour with him are as a cloud of latter rain.

16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

16:16 νοσσιαὶ σοφίας αἱρετώτεραι χρυσίου, νοσσιαὶ δὲ φρονήσεως αἱρετώτεραι ὑπὲρ ἀργύριον. 16:16 νοσσιαὶ σοφίας αἱρετώτεραι χρυσίου, νοσσιαί δὲ φρονήσεως αἱρετώτεραι ὑπὲρ ἀργύριον.
16:16 The young of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the young of prudence more to be chosen than silver. 16:16 The young of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the young of prudence more to be chosen than silver.

17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he who keeps his way preserves his soul.

16:17 τρίβοι ζωῆς ἐκκλίνουσιν ἀπὸ κακῶν, μῆκος δὲ βίου ὁδοὶ δικαιοσύνης.
ὁ δεχόμενος παιδείαν ἐν ἀγαθοῖς ἔσται, ὁ δὲ φυλάσσων ἐλέγχους σοφισθήσεται.
ὃς φυλάσσει τὰς ἑαυτοῦ ὁδούς, τηρεῖ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχήν·
ἀγαπῶν δὲ ζωὴν αὐτοῦ φείσεται στόματος αὐτοῦ. 		16:17 τρίβοι ζωῆς ἐκκλίνουσιν ἀπὸ κακῶν, μῆκος δὲ βίου ὁδοὶ δικαιοσύνης.
ὁ δεχόμενος παιδείαν ἐν ἀγαθοῖς ἔσται, ὁ δὲ φυλάσσων ἐλέγχους σοφισθήσεται.
ὅς φυλάσσει τὰς ἑαυτοῦ ὁδούς, τηρεῖ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχήν, ἀγαπῶν δὲ ζωὴν αὐτοῦ φείσεται στόματος αὐτοῦ.
16:17 The paths of life turn aside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are length of life. He who receives instruction shall be in prosperity; and he who regards reproofs shall be made wise. He who keeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he who loves his life will spare his mouth. 16:17 The paths of life turn aside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are length of life. He who receives instruction shall be in prosperity; and he who regards reproofs shall be made wise. He who keeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he who loves his life will spare his mouth.

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

16:18 πρὸ συντριβῆς ἡγεῖται ὕβρις, πρὸ δὲ πτώματος κακοφροσύνη. 16:18 πρὸ συντριβῆς ἡγεῖται ὕβρις, πρὸ δὲ πτώματος κακοφροσύνη.
16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and folly1 before a fall. 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and folly1 before a fall.
1lit: "bad thinking and acting" possibly: "malice"

19 Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

16:19 κρείσσων πραΰθυμος μετὰ ταπεινώσεως ἢ ὃς διαιρεῖται σκῦλα μετὰ ὑβριστῶν. 16:19 κρείσσων πραΰθυμος μετὰ ταπεινώσεως ἢ ὃς διαιρεῖται σκῦλα μετὰ ὑβριστῶν.
16:19 Better is a meek-spirited man with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud. 16:19 Better is a meek-spirited man with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud.

20 He who handles a matter wisely shall find good; and whoever trusts in Yahweh, happy is he.

16:20 συνετὸς ἐν πράγμασιν εὑρετὴς ἀγαθῶν, πεποιθὼς δὲ ἐπὶ θεῷ μακαριστός. 16:20 συνετὸς ἐν πράγμασιν εὑρετὴς ἀγαθῶν, πεποιθὼς δὲ ἐπὶ Θεῷ μακαριστός.
16:20 He who is skillful in business finds good; but he who trusts in God is most blessed. 16:20 He who is skillful in business finds good; but he who trusts in God is most blessed.

21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent; and the sweetness of the lips increases learning.

16:21 τοὺς σοφοὺς καὶ συνετοὺς φαύλους καλοῦσιν, οἱ δὲ γλυκεῖς ἐν λόγῳ πλείονα ἀκούσονται. 16:21 τοὺς σοφοὺς καὶ συνετοὺς φαύλους καλοῦσιν, οἱ δὲ γλυκεῖς ἐν λόγῳ πλείονα ἀκούσονται.
16:21 Some call the wise and understanding worthless; but they who are pleasing in speech will be heard more. 16:21 Some call the wise and understanding worthless; but they who are pleasing in speech will be heard more.

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it; but the instruction of fools is folly.

16:22 πηγὴ ζωῆς ἔννοια τοῖς κεκτημένοις, παιδεία δὲ ἀφρόνων κακή. 16:22 πηγὴ ζωῆς ἔννοια τοῖς κεκτημένοις, παιδεία δὲ ἀφρόνων κακή.
16:22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil. 16:22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.

23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

16:23 καρδία σοφοῦ νοήσει τὰ ἀπὸ τοῦ ἰδίου στόματος, ἐπὶ δὲ χείλεσιν φορέσει ἐπιγνωμοσύνην. 16:23 καρδία σοφοῦ νοήσει τὰ ἀπὸ τοῦ ἰδίου στόματος, ἐπὶ δὲ χείλεσι φορέσει ἐπιγνωμοσύνην.
16:23 The heart of the wise will discern the things which proceed from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge. 16:23 The heart of the wise will discern the things which proceed from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.

24 Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

16:24 κηρία μέλιτος λόγοι καλοί, γλύκασμα δὲ αὐτῶν ἴασις ψυχῆς. 16:24 κηρία μέλιτος λόγοι καλοί, γλύκασμα δὲ αὐτοῦ ἴασις ψυχῆς.
16:24 Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness of it is a healing of the soul. 16:24 Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness of it is a healing of the soul.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it are the ways of death.

16:25 εἰσὶν ὁδοὶ δοκοῦσαι εἶναι ὀρθαὶ ἀνδρί, τὰ μέντοι τελευταῖα αὐτῶν βλέπει εἰς πυθμένα ᾅδου. 16:25 εἰσὶν ὁδοὶ δοκοῦσαι εἶναι ὀρθαὶ ἀνδρί, τὰ μέντοι τελευταῖα αὐτῶν βλέπει εἰς πυθμένα ᾅδου.
16:25 There are ways that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of Hades. 16:25 There are ways that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of Hades.

26 He who labours labours for himself; for his mouth craves it of him.

16:26 ἀνὴρ ἐν πόνοις πονεῖ ἑαυτῷ καὶ ἐκβιάζεται ἑαυτοῦ τὴν ἀπώλειαν, ὁ μέντοι σκολιὸς ἐπὶ τῷ ἑαυτοῦ στόματι φορεῖ τὴν ἀπώλειαν. 16:26 ἀνὴρ ἐν πόνοις πονεῖ ἑαυτῷ καὶ ἐκβιάζεται τὴν ἀπώλειαν ἑαυτοῦ, ὁ μέντοι σκολιὸς ἐπὶ τῷ ἑαυτοῦ στόματι φορεῖ τὴν ἀπώλειαν.
16:26 A man at labor labors for himself and fences off his own destruction, but the crooked carries destruction in his own mouth. 16:26 A man at labor labors for himself and fences off his own destruction, but the crooked carries destruction in his own mouth.

27 An ungodly man digs up evil; and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

16:27 ἀνὴρ ἄφρων ὀρύσσει ἑαυτῷ κακά, ἐπὶ δὲ τῶν ἑαυτοῦ χειλέων θησαυρίζει πῦρ. 16:27 ἀνὴρ ἄφρων ὀρύσσει ἑαυτῷ κακά, ἐπὶ δὲ τῶν ἑαυτοῦ χειλέων θησαυρίζει πῦρ.
16:27 A foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips. 16:27 A foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips.

28 A deceitful man sows strife; and a whisperer separates chief friends.

16:28 ἀνὴρ σκολιὸς διαπέμπεται κακὰ καὶ λαμπτῆρα δόλου πυρσεύει κακοῖς καὶ διαχωρίζει φίλους. 16:28 ἀνὴρ σκολιὸς διαπέμπεται κακά, καὶ λαμπτῆρα δόλου πυρσεύει κακοῖς καὶ διαχωρίζει φίλους.
16:28 A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends. 16:28 A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.

29 A violent man entices his neighbour, and leads him into the way that is not good.

16:29 ἀνὴρ παράνομος ἀποπειρᾶται φίλων καὶ ἀπάγει αὐτοὺς ὁδοὺς οὐκ ἀγαθάς. 16:29 ἀνὴρ παράνομος ἀποπειρᾶται φίλων καὶ ἀπάγει αὐτοὺς ὁδοὺς οὐκ ἀγαθάς.
16:29 A transgressor tries to ensnare friends, and leads them in ways that are not good. 16:29 A transgressor tries to ensnare friends, and leads them in ways that are not good.

30 He shuts his eyes to devise deceitful things: moving his lips he brings evil to pass.

16:30 στηρίζων ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ λογίζεται διεστραμμένα, ὁρίζει δὲ τοῖς χείλεσιν αὐτοῦ πάντα τὰ κακά, οὗτος κάμινός ἐστιν κακίας. 16:30 στηρίζων δὲ ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ διαλογίζεται διεστραμμένα, ὁρίζει δὲ τοῖς χείλεσιν αὐτοῦ πάντα τὰ κακά·
οὗτος κάμινός ἔστι κακίας.
16:30 And the man who fixes his eyes devises perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evil: he is a furnace of wickedness. 16:30 And the man who fixes his eyes devises perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evil: he is a furnace of wickedness.

31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

16:31 στέφανος καυχήσεως γῆρας, ἐν δὲ ὁδοῖς δικαιοσύνης εὑρίσκεται. 16:31 στέφανος καυχήσεως γῆρας, ἐν δὲ ὁδοῖς δικαιοσύνης εὑρίσκεται.
16:31 Old age is a crown of honour, but it is found in the ways of righteousness. 16:31 Old age is a crown of honour, but it is found in the ways of righteousness.

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 κρείσσων ἀνὴρ μακρόθυμος ἰσχυροῦ, ὁ δὲ κρατῶν ὀργῆς κρείσσων καταλαμβανομένου πόλιν. 16:32 κρείσσων ἀνὴρ μακρόθυμος ἰσχυροῦ, ὁ δὲ κρατῶν ὀργῆς κρείσσων καταλαμβανομένου πόλιν.
16:32 A man slow to anger is better than a strong man; and he who governs his temper better than he who takes a city. 16:32 A man slow to anger is better than a strong man; and he who governs his temper better than he who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing of it is of Yahweh.

16:33 εἰς κόλπους ἐπέρχεται πάντα τοῖς ἀδίκοις, παρὰ δὲ κυρίου πάντα τὰ δίκαια. 16:33 εἰς κόλπους ἐπέρχεται πάντα τοῖς ἀδίκοις, παρὰ δὲ Κυρίου πάντα τὰ δίκαια.
16:33 All evils come on the ungodly into their bosoms; but all righteous things come of the Lord. 16:33 All evils come on the ungodly into their bosoms; but all righteous things come of the Lord.