Proverbs 15:33-16:9
English Standard Version
16 The plans of the heart belong to man,
but (C)the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 (D)All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord (E)weighs the spirit.[a]
3 (F)Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
4 (G)The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even (H)the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is (I)an abomination to the Lord;
(J)be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 By (K)steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by (L)the fear of the Lord one (M)turns away from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the Lord,
(N)he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 (O)Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
9 (P)The heart of man plans his way,
but (Q)the Lord establishes his steps.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:2 Or spirits
Proverbs 15:33-16:9
New American Standard Bible
33 [a]The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.
Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked
16 The (A)plans of the heart belong to a person,
But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a person are clean in his own sight,
But the (B)Lord examines the [b]motives.
3 [c](C)Commit your works to the Lord,
And your plans will be established.
4 The Lord (D)has made everything for [d]its own purpose,
Even the (E)wicked for the day of evil.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
[e]Be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 By (F)mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing,
And by [f]the (G)fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.
7 When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,
He (H)causes even his enemies to make peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income with injustice.
9 The mind of a (I)person plans his way,
But (J)the Lord directs his steps.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:33 Or Reverence for
- Proverbs 16:2 Lit spirits
- Proverbs 16:3 Lit Roll
- Proverbs 16:4 Or His
- Proverbs 16:5 Lit Hand to hand, he
- Proverbs 16:6 Or reverence for
Proverbs 15:33-16:9
New King James Version
Wisdom Is Better Than Gold
16 The (C)preparations[a] of the heart belong to man,
(D)But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own (E)eyes,
But the Lord weighs the spirits.
5 (I)Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
Though they join [d]forces, none will go unpunished.
6 (J)In mercy and truth
Atonement is provided for iniquity;
And (K)by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 (L)Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:1 plans
- Proverbs 16:3 Lit. Roll
- Proverbs 16:4 Lit. evil
- Proverbs 16:5 Lit. hand to hand
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
