Proverbs 16:12-23

¹²They that do wickedly be abominable to the king; for the throne of the realm is made steadfast by rightfulness.

¹³The will of kings is just lips; he that speaketh rightful things, shall be (ad)dressed. (The desire of kings is just, or truthful, words; he who speaketh upright things shall be favoured.)

¹⁴The Indignation of the king is (like) messengers of death; and a wise man shall please him (or but a wise person shall please him).

¹⁵Life is in gladness of the king’s cheer; and his mercy is as rain coming late. (Life (is) in the gladness of the king’s face; and his mercy (is) like the rain that cometh late.)

¹⁶Wield thou wisdom, for it is better than gold; and get thou prudence, for it is preciouser than silver. (Possess thou wisdom, for it is better than gold; and get thou prudence, for it is more precious than silver.)

¹⁷The path of just men boweth away (from) evils (or The path of the righteous turneth away from evil); the keeper of his soul keepeth his way (safe).

¹⁸Pride goeth before sorrow; and the spirit shall be enhanced before falling (or and the spirit shall be raised up before a fall).

¹⁹It is better to be made meek with mild men, than to part spoils with proud men. (It is better to be made poor with the humble, than to part spoils with the proud.)

²⁰A learned man in word shall find goods (or A person learned in understanding shall obtain good things); and he that hopeth in the Lord is blessed.

²¹He that is wise in heart, shall be called prudent; and he that is sweet in speech, shall find greater things. (He who is wise in heart, shall be called prudent; and he who useth sweet, or pleasant, speech, shall increase his knowledge or shall help others to learn.)

²²The well of life is the learning of him that wieldeth (it); the teaching of fools is folly.

²³The heart of a wise man shall teach his mouth; and shall increase grace to his lips. (The heart of a wise person shall teach his mouth; and his lips shall bring an increase of favour.)