CHAPTER 16
1 It pertaineth to man to make ready the soul; and it pertaineth to the Lord to govern the tongue.
2 All the ways of men be open to the eyes of God; the Lord is a weigher of spirits, that is, of wills, yielding to man after his deservings.
3 Show thy works to the Lord; and thy thoughts shall be addressed.
4 The Lord wrought all things for himself; and he made ready a wicked man to the evil day.
5 Abomination of the Lord is each proud man; yea, though the hand is to the hand, he shall not be innocent. The beginning of [the] good way is to do rightwiseness; forsooth it is more acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices.
6 Wickedness is again-bought by mercy and truth; and men boweth away from evil by the dread of the Lord.
7 When the ways of a man please the Lord, he shall convert, yea, his enemies to peace.
8 Better is a little with rightfulness [or rightwiseness], than many fruits with wickedness.
9 The heart of a man shall dispose his way; but it pertaineth to the Lord to dress his steps.
10 Divining is in the lips of a king; his mouth shall not err in doom.
11 The dooms of the Lord be weight and balance; and his works be all the stones of the world.
12 They that do wickedly be abominable to the king; for the throne of the realm is made steadfast by rightfulness [or rightwiseness].
13 The will of kings is just [or rightwise] lips; he that speaketh rightful [or right] things, shall be addressed.
14 [The] Indignation of the king is messengers of death; and a wise man shall please him.
15 Life is in gladness of the king’s cheer; and his mercy is as rain coming late.
16 Wield thou wisdom, for it is better than gold; and get thou prudence, for it is preciouser than silver.
17 The path of just [or rightwise] men boweth away from evils; the keeper of his soul keepeth his way.
18 Pride goeth before sorrow; and the spirit shall be enhanced before falling.
19 It is better to be made meek with mild men, than to part spoils with proud men.
20 A learned man in word shall find goods; and he that hopeth in the Lord is blessed.
21 He that is wise in heart, shall be called prudent; and he that is sweet in speech, shall find greater things.
22 The well of life is the learning of him that wieldeth; the teaching of fools is folly.
23 The heart of a wise man shall teach his mouth; and shall increase grace to his lips.
24 Words well-set together is a comb of honey; health of bones is the sweetness of soul.
25 A way there is that seemeth rightful [or right] to a man; and the last things thereof lead to death.
26 The soul of a man travailing travaileth to himself; for his mouth compelled him.
27 An unwise man diggeth for evil; and fire burneth in his lips.
28 A wayward man raiseth strives; and a man full of words separateth princes.
29 A wicked man flattereth his friend; and leadeth him by a way not good.
30 He that thinketh shrewd things with eyes astonied, biteth his lips, and performeth evil.
31 A crown of dignity is eld age, that shall be found in the ways of rightfulness [or rightwiseness].
32 A patient man is better than a strong man; and he that is lord of his soul, is better than an overcomer of cities.
33 Lots be sent into the bosom; but they be tempered of the Lord.