---
title: Joseph Smith Translation (1867 edition)
description: Proverbs from the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), 1867 edition.
authors:
  - Smith, Joseph, Jr.
collections:
  - joseph-smith
tags:
  - translation
published: "1867"
publisher: RLDS Publication Board
publisher_place: Plano, Illinois
publisher_note: "The title page reads: Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Joseph Smith, I. L. Rogers, E. Robinson, Publishing Committee; 1867."
edition: First edition (Plano, 1867)
language: en
type: book
chapter: 16
verse_count: 33
reference: "Joseph Smith Jr., *Joseph Smith Translation*, first edition (Plano, IL: RLDS Publication Board, 1867), Proverbs, chap. 16, https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft."
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  identifier: holyscripturestr00smituoft
  scan: University of Toronto / Trinity College Library copy, Internet Archive
  transcription: "OCR text of the 1867 scans (Toronto copy and a second copy, holyscriptures00smit), reconciled word by word; Romans was also checked against the page images. Method, per-chapter validation log and known limits: docs/jst-1867-import.md."
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: 1867 US publication
  source: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  publication_year: 1867
---

# Proverbs 16

**1** The preparations of the heart in man, and 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 weigheth the spirits.
**3** Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
**4** The Lord hath made all things for himself; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
**5** Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
**6** By mercy and truth iniquity is purged; and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
**7** When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
**8** Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right.
**9** A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth his steps.
**10** A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
**11** A just weight and balance are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
**12** It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for the throne is established by righteousness.
**13** Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
**14** The wrath of a king is as messengers of death; but a wise man will pacify it.
**15** In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
**16** How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
**17** The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
**18** Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
**19** Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
**20** He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
**21** The wise in heart shall be called prudent; and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
**22** Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly.
**23** The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
**24** Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
**25** There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.
**26** He that laboureth, laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
**27** An ungodly man diggeth up evil; and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
**28** A froward man soweth strife; and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
**29** A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into a way that is not good.
**30** He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things; moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
**31** The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
**32** He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
**33** The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.