Proverbs 16:9-20
English Standard Version
9 (A)The heart of man plans his way,
    but (B)the Lord establishes his steps.
10 (C)An oracle is on the lips of a king;
    his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 (D)A just balance and scales are the Lord's;
    all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
    for (E)the throne is established by righteousness.
13 (F)Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
    and he loves him who speaks what is right.
14 (G)A king's wrath is a messenger of death,
    and a wise man will (H)appease it.
15 (I)In the light of a king's face there is life,
    and his (J)favor is like (K)the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 (L)How much better to get wisdom than (M)gold!
    To get understanding is to be chosen rather than (N)silver.
17 The highway of the upright (O)turns aside from evil;
    whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18 (P)Pride goes before destruction,
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 (Q)It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
    than to (R)divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Whoever gives thought to the word[a] (S)will discover good,
    and blessed is he (T)who trusts in the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:20 Or to a matter
Proverbs 16:9-20
New International Version
9 In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.(A)
10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
    and his mouth does not betray justice.(B)
11 Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
    all the weights in the bag are of his making.(C)
12 Kings detest wrongdoing,
    for a throne is established through righteousness.(D)
13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
    they value the one who speaks what is right.(E)
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
    those who guard their ways preserve their lives.(L)
19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
    than to share plunder with the proud.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good
Proverbs 16:9-20
King James Version
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 an 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.
Read full chapter
Proverbs 16:9-20
New King James Version
10 Divination is on the lips of the king;
His mouth must not transgress in judgment.
11 (C)Honest weights and scales are the Lord’s;
All the weights in the bag are His [a]work.
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,
For (D)a throne is established by righteousness.
13 (E)Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And they love him who speaks what is right.
14 As messengers of death is the king’s wrath,
But a wise man will (F)appease it.
15 In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a (G)cloud of the latter rain.
16 (H)How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;
He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before [b]a fall.
19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,
Than to divide the [c]spoil with the proud.
20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
And whoever (I)trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:11 concern
- Proverbs 16:18 stumbling
- Proverbs 16:19 plunder
Proverbs 16:9-20
New American Standard Bible
9 The mind of a (A)person plans his way,
But (B)the Lord directs his steps.
10 A divine (C)verdict is on the lips of the king;
His mouth should not [a]err in judgment.
11 A (D)just balance and scales belong to the Lord;
All the [b]weights of the bag are His [c]concern.
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts,
Because a (E)throne is established on righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And one who speaks right is loved.
14 The fury of a king is like messengers of death;
But a wise person will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud with the [d](F)spring rain.
16 How much (G)better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
17 The (H)highway of the upright is to turn away from evil;
One who watches his way protects his [e]life.
18 (I)Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
19 It is better to be (J)humble in spirit with the needy
Than to (K)divide the spoils with the proud.
20 One who pays attention to the word will (L)find good,
And (M)blessed is one who trusts in the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:10 Lit be unfaithful
- Proverbs 16:11 Lit stones
- Proverbs 16:11 Lit work
- Proverbs 16:15 Lit latter
- Proverbs 16:17 Lit soul
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.



