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Proverbs 16
Amplified Bible
Proverbs 16
Amplified Bible
Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
16 The plans and reflections of the heart belong to man,
But the [wise] answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2
All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions],
But the Lord weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth].(A)
3
[a]Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him],
And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].
4
The Lord has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked [according to their role] for the day of evil.
5
Everyone who is proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting and exceedingly offensive to the Lord;
Be assured he will not go unpunished.(B)
6
By mercy and lovingkindness and truth [not superficial ritual] wickedness is cleansed from the heart,
And by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.
7
When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8
Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income [gained] with injustice.(C)
9
A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life],
But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.(D)
10
A divine decision [given by God] is on the lips of the king [as His representative];
His mouth should not be unfaithful or unjust in judgment.(E)
11
A just balance and [honest] scales are the Lord’s;
All the weights of the bag are His concern [established by His eternal principles].
12
It is repulsive [to God and man] for kings to behave wickedly,
For a throne is established on righteousness (right standing with God).
13
Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And he who speaks right is loved.
14
The wrath of a king is like a messenger of death,
But a wise man will appease it.
15
In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud bringing the spring rain.
16
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.(F)
17
The highway of the upright turns away and departs from evil;
He who guards his way protects his life (soul).
18
Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.
19
It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly
Than to divide the spoil with the proud (haughty, arrogant).
20
He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good,
And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the Lord.
21
The wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener].
22
Understanding (spiritual insight) is a [refreshing and boundless] wellspring of life to those who have it,
But to give instruction and correction to fools is foolishness.
23
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom]
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.
25
There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,
But its end is the way of death.
26
The appetite of a worker works for him,
For his hunger urges him on.
27
A worthless man devises and digs up evil,
And the words on his lips are like a scorching fire.
28
A perverse man spreads strife,
And one who gossips separates intimate friends.(G)
29
A violent and exceedingly covetous man entices his neighbor [to sin],
And leads him in a way that is not good.
30
He who [slyly] winks his eyes does so to plot perverse things;
And he who compresses his lips [as if in a secret signal] brings evil to pass.
31
The silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory;
It is found in the way of righteousness.(H)
32
He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty [soldier],
And he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city.
33
The lot is cast into the lap,
[b]But its every decision is from the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:3 Lit Roll.
- Proverbs 16:33 This is the reason why the casting of lots was sanctioned in Israel for certain cases of decision-making (e.g. Lev 16:8; Josh 18:6, 8; 1 Chr 25:8, etc.). It was understood that the outcomes were controlled by God, and the seemingly random procedure eliminated human influence. The last time the ritual is mentioned in the Bible is in the choice of Matthias to replace Judas (Acts 1:26). Many believe that the filling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts 2 officially put an end to the ritual because it was then replaced by the direct guidance of the Spirit. It was never sanctioned or recommended as a way to determine God’s will in personal decision-making.
Proverbios 16
Reina-Valera 1960
Proverbios 16
Reina-Valera 1960
Proverbios sobre la vida y la conducta
16 Del hombre son las disposiciones del corazón;
Mas de Jehová es la respuesta de la lengua.
2 Todos los caminos del hombre son limpios en su propia opinión;
Pero Jehová pesa los espíritus.
3 Encomienda a Jehová tus obras,
Y tus pensamientos serán afirmados.
4 Todas las cosas ha hecho Jehová para sí mismo,
Y aun al impío para el día malo.
5 Abominación es a Jehová todo altivo de corazón;
Ciertamente no quedará impune.
6 Con misericordia y verdad se corrige el pecado,
Y con el temor de Jehová los hombres se apartan del mal.
7 Cuando los caminos del hombre son agradables a Jehová,
Aun a sus enemigos hace estar en paz con él.
8 Mejor es lo poco con justicia
Que la muchedumbre de frutos sin derecho.
9 El corazón del hombre piensa su camino;
Mas Jehová endereza sus pasos.
10 Oráculo hay en los labios del rey;
En juicio no prevaricará su boca.
11 Peso y balanzas justas son de Jehová;
Obra suya son todas las pesas de la bolsa.
12 Abominación es a los reyes hacer impiedad,
Porque con justicia será afirmado el trono.
13 Los labios justos son el contentamiento de los reyes,
Y estos aman al que habla lo recto.
14 La ira del rey es mensajero de muerte;
Mas el hombre sabio la evitará.
15 En la alegría del rostro del rey está la vida,
Y su benevolencia es como nube de lluvia tardía.
16 Mejor es adquirir sabiduría que oro preciado;
Y adquirir inteligencia vale más que la plata.
17 El camino de los rectos se aparta del mal;
Su vida guarda el que guarda su camino.
18 Antes del quebrantamiento es la soberbia,
Y antes de la caída la altivez de espíritu.
19 Mejor es humillar el espíritu con los humildes
Que repartir despojos con los soberbios.
20 El entendido en la palabra hallará el bien,
Y el que confía en Jehová es bienaventurado.
21 El sabio de corazón es llamado prudente,
Y la dulzura de labios aumenta el saber.
22 Manantial de vida es el entendimiento al que lo posee;
Mas la erudición de los necios es necedad.
23 El corazón del sabio hace prudente su boca,
Y añade gracia a sus labios.
24 Panal de miel son los dichos suaves;
Suavidad al alma y medicina para los huesos.
25 Hay camino que parece derecho al hombre,
Pero su fin es camino de muerte.(A)
26 El alma del que trabaja, trabaja para sí,
Porque su boca le estimula.
27 El hombre perverso cava en busca del mal,
Y en sus labios hay como llama de fuego.
28 El hombre perverso levanta contienda,
Y el chismoso aparta a los mejores amigos.
29 El hombre malo lisonjea a su prójimo,
Y le hace andar por camino no bueno.
30 Cierra sus ojos para pensar perversidades;
Mueve sus labios, efectúa el mal.
31 Corona de honra es la vejez
Que se halla en el camino de justicia.
32 Mejor es el que tarda en airarse que el fuerte;
Y el que se enseñorea de su espíritu, que el que toma una ciudad.
33 La suerte se echa en el regazo;
Mas de Jehová es la decisión de ella.
Amplified Bible (AMP) 
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Reina-Valera 1960 (RVR1960) 
Reina-Valera 1960 ® © Sociedades Bíblicas en América Latina, 1960. Renovado © Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas, 1988. Utilizado con permiso. Si desea más información visite americanbible.org, unitedbiblesocieties.org, vivelabiblia.com, unitedbiblesocieties.org/es/casa/, www.rvr60.bible