Bible in Basic English
Better is a little with righteousness, than great wealth with wrongdoing.
A man may make designs for his way, but the Lord is the guide of his steps.
Decision is in the lips of the king: his mouth will not go wrong in judging.
True measures and scales are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
Evil-doing is disgusting to kings: for the seat of the ruler is based on righteousness.
Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings; and he who says what is upright is dear to him.
The wrath of the king is like those who give news of death, but a wise man will put peace in place of it.
In the light of the king's face there is life; and his approval is like a cloud of spring rain.
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get knowledge is more to be desired than silver.
The highway of the upright is to be turned away from evil: he who takes care of his way will keep his soul.
Pride goes before destruction, and a stiff spirit before a fall.
Better it is to have a gentle spirit with the poor, than to take part in the rewards of war with men of pride.
He who gives attention to the law of right will get good; and whoever puts his faith in the Lord is happy.
The wise-hearted will be named men of good sense: and by pleasing words learning is increased.
Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it; but the punishment of the foolish is their foolish behaviour.
The heart of the wise man is the teacher of his mouth, and gives increased learning to his lips.
Pleasing words are like honey, sweet to the soul and new life to the bones.
There is a way which seems straight before a man, but its end is the ways of death.
The desire of the working man is working for him, for his need of food is driving him on.
A good-for-nothing man is a designer of evil, and in his lips there is a burning fire.
A man of twisted purposes is a cause of fighting everywhere: and he who says evil secretly makes trouble between friends.
A violent man puts desire of evil into his neighbour's mind, and makes him go in a way which is not good.
He whose eyes are shut is a man of twisted purposes, and he who keeps his lips shut tight makes evil come about.
The grey head is a crown of glory, if it is seen in the way of righteousness.
He who is slow to be angry is better than a man of war, and he who has control over his spirit than he who takes a town.
A thing may be put to the decision of chance, but it comes about through the Lord.
— Proverbs 16:8-1964, Bible in Basic English
“Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice. A man's heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps. Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth. Honest balances and scales are Yahweh's; all the weights in the bag are his work. It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth. The king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. In the light of the king's face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain. How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud. He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed. The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction. Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly. The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on. A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire. A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends. A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good. One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil. Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness. One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.”
Everyone who has pride in his heart is disgusting to the Lord: he will certainly not go free from punishment.
By mercy and good faith evil-doing is taken away: and by the fear of the Lord men are turned away from evil.
When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his haters be at peace with him.
Better is a little with righteousness, than great wealth with wrongdoing.
A man may make designs for his way, but the Lord is the guide of his steps.
Decision is in the lips of the king: his mouth will not go wrong in judging.
True measures and scales are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
Evil-doing is disgusting to kings: for the seat of the ruler is based on righteousness.
Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings; and he who says what is upright is dear to him.
The wrath of the king is like those who give news of death, but a wise man will put peace in place of it.
In the light of the king's face there is life; and his approval is like a cloud of spring rain.
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get knowledge is more to be desired than silver.
The highway of the upright is to be turned away from evil: he who takes care of his way will keep his soul.
Pride goes before destruction, and a stiff spirit before a fall.
Better it is to have a gentle spirit with the poor, than to take part in the rewards of war with men of pride.
He who gives attention to the law of right will get good; and whoever puts his faith in the Lord is happy.
The wise-hearted will be named men of good sense: and by pleasing words learning is increased.
Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it; but the punishment of the foolish is their foolish behaviour.
The heart of the wise man is the teacher of his mouth, and gives increased learning to his lips.
Pleasing words are like honey, sweet to the soul and new life to the bones.
There is a way which seems straight before a man, but its end is the ways of death.
The desire of the working man is working for him, for his need of food is driving him on.
A good-for-nothing man is a designer of evil, and in his lips there is a burning fire.
A man of twisted purposes is a cause of fighting everywhere: and he who says evil secretly makes trouble between friends.
A violent man puts desire of evil into his neighbour's mind, and makes him go in a way which is not good.
He whose eyes are shut is a man of twisted purposes, and he who keeps his lips shut tight makes evil come about.
The grey head is a crown of glory, if it is seen in the way of righteousness.
He who is slow to be angry is better than a man of war, and he who has control over his spirit than he who takes a town.
A thing may be put to the decision of chance, but it comes about through the Lord.