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Proverbs 16
Christian Standard Bible

16 The reflections of the heart belong to mankind,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.(A)

2 All a person’s ways seem right to him,
but the Lord weighs motives.[a](B)

3 Commit your activities to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.(C)

4 The Lord has prepared everything for his purpose—
even the wicked for the day of disaster.(D)

5 Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord;(E)
be assured,[b] he will not go unpunished.(F)

6 Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,(G)
and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.(H)

7 When a person’s ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.(I)

8 Better a little with righteousness
than great income with injustice.(J)

9 A person’s heart plans his way,
but the Lord determines his steps.(K)

10 God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;[c](L)
his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.(M)

11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag are his concern.(N)

12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,(O)
since a throne is established through righteousness.(P)

13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight,
and he loves one who speaks honestly.

14 A king’s fury is a messenger of death,
but a wise person appeases it.(Q)

15 When a king’s face lights up, there is life;
his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

16 Get wisdom—
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding—
it is preferable to silver.(R)

17 The highway of the upright(S) avoids evil;
the one who guards his way protects his life.(T)

18 Pride comes before destruction,
and an arrogant spirit before a fall.(U)

19 Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble[d](V)
than to divide plunder with the proud.(W)

20 The one who understands a matter finds success,(X)
and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.(Y)

21 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,
and pleasant speech[e] increases learning.(Z)

22 Insight is a fountain of life(AA) for its possessor,
but the discipline of fools is folly.

23 The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth;
it adds learning to his speech.[f](AB)

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb:(AC)
sweet to the taste[g] and health to the body.[h](AD)

25 There is a way that seems right to a person,
but its end is the way to death.(AE)

26 A worker’s appetite works for him
because his hunger[i] urges him on.

27 A worthless person digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.(AF)

28 A contrary person spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.(AG)

29 A violent person lures his neighbor,(AH)
leading him on a path that is not good.(AI)

30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;
the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.(AJ)

31 Gray hair is a glorious crown;(AK)
it is found in the ways of righteousness.(AL)

32 Patience is better than power,
and controlling one’s emotions,[j] than capturing a city.(AM)

33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.(AN)

Footnotes

  1. 16:2 Lit spirits
  2. 16:5 Lit hand to hand
  3. 16:10 Or A divination is on the lips of a king
  4. 16:19 Alt Hb tradition reads afflicted
  5. 16:21 Lit and sweetness of lips
  6. 16:23 Lit learning upon his lips
  7. 16:24 Lit throat
  8. 16:24 Lit bones
  9. 16:26 Lit mouth
  10. 16:32 Lit and ruling over one’s spirit
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Proverbs 16
New International Version

16 To humans belong the plans of the heart,
    but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.(A)

2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them,(B)
    but motives are weighed(C) by the Lord.(D)

3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.(E)

4 The Lord works out everything to its proper end(F)—
    even the wicked for a day of disaster.(G)

5 The Lord detests all the proud of heart.(H)
    Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.(I)

6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
    through the fear of the Lord(J) evil is avoided.(K)

7 When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
    he causes their enemies to make peace(L) with them.(M)

8 Better a little with righteousness
    than much gain(N) with injustice.(O)

9 In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.(P)

10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
    and his mouth does not betray justice.(Q)

11 Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
    all the weights in the bag are of his making.(R)

12 Kings detest wrongdoing,
    for a throne is established through righteousness.(S)

13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
    they value the one who speaks what is right.(T)

14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,(U)
    but the wise will appease it.(V)

15 When a king’s face brightens, it means life;(W)
    his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.(X)

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
    to get insight(Y) rather than silver!(Z)

17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
    those who guard their ways preserve their lives.(AA)

18 Pride(AB) goes before destruction,
    a haughty spirit(AC) before a fall.(AD)

19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
    than to share plunder with the proud.

20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,[a](AE)
    and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.(AF)

21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
    and gracious words promote instruction.[b](AG)

22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,(AH)
    but folly brings punishment to fools.

23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,(AI)
    and their lips promote instruction.[c](AJ)

24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,(AK)
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.(AL)

25 There is a way that appears to be right,(AM)
    but in the end it leads to death.(AN)

26 The appetite of laborers works for them;
    their hunger drives them on.

27 A scoundrel(AO) plots evil,
    and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.(AP)

28 A perverse person stirs up conflict,(AQ)
    and a gossip separates close friends.(AR)

29 A violent person entices their neighbor
    and leads them down a path that is not good.(AS)

30 Whoever winks(AT) with their eye is plotting perversity;
    whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor;(AU)
    it is attained in the way of righteousness.

32 Better a patient person than a warrior,
    one with self-control than one who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast(AV) into the lap,
    but its every decision(AW) is from the Lord.(AX)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good
  2. Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive
  3. Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive
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Proverbios 16
Nueva Versión Internacional

16 El ser humano hace planes,
    pero la palabra final la tiene el Señor.

2 Todos los caminos del ser humano son limpios a sus ojos,
    pero las intenciones las juzga el Señor.

3 Pon en manos del Señor todas tus obras
    y tus proyectos se cumplirán.

4 Toda obra del Señor tiene un propósito;
    ¡hasta el malvado fue hecho para el día del desastre!

5 El Señor aborrece a los arrogantes.
    Una cosa es segura: no quedarán impunes.

6 Con amor y verdad se perdona el pecado
    y con respeto al Señor se evita el mal.

7 Cuando el Señor aprueba la conducta de un hombre,
    hasta con sus enemigos lo reconcilia.

8 Más vale tener poco con justicia
    que ganar mucho con injusticia.

9 El corazón del hombre traza su rumbo,
    pero sus pasos los dirige el Señor.

10 La sentencia[a] está en labios del rey;
    el veredicto que emite no traiciona la justicia.

11 Las pesas y las balanzas justas son del Señor;
    todas las medidas son hechura suya.

12 El rey detesta las malas acciones,
    porque el trono se afirma en la justicia.

13 El rey se complace en los labios honestos;
    aprecia a quien habla con la verdad.

14 La ira del rey es presagio de muerte,
    pero el sabio sabe apaciguarla.

15 El rostro radiante del rey es signo de vida;
    su favor es como nubes llenas de lluvia en primavera.

16 Más vale adquirir sabiduría que oro;
    más vale adquirir inteligencia que plata.

17 El camino del hombre recto evita el mal;
    el que quiere salvar su vida se fija por donde va.

18 Tras el orgullo viene la destrucción;
    tras la altanería, el fracaso.

19 Vale más tener un espíritu humilde con los oprimidos
    que compartir el botín con los orgullosos.

20 El que atiende a la palabra prospera.
    ¡Dichoso el que confía en el Señor!

21 Al sabio de corazón se le llama inteligente;
    las palabras gratas promueven el saber.

22 Fuente de vida es la prudencia para quien la posee;
    el castigo de los necios es su propia necedad.

23 El de corazón sabio controla su boca;
    con sus labios promueve el saber.

24 Panal de miel son las palabras amables:
    endulzan la vida y dan salud al cuerpo.[b]

25 Hay un camino que al hombre le parece recto,
    pero acaba por ser camino de muerte.

26 Al que trabaja, el hambre lo obliga a trabajar,
    pues su propio apetito lo estimula.

27 El perverso hace[c] planes malvados;
    en sus labios hay un fuego devorador.

28 El perverso provoca contiendas
    y el chismoso divide a los buenos amigos.

29 El violento engaña a su prójimo
    y lo lleva por mal camino.

30 El que guiña el ojo trama algo perverso;
    el que aprieta los labios ya lo ha cometido.

31 Las canas son una honrosa corona
    que se obtiene en el camino de la justicia.

32 Más vale ser paciente que valiente;
    más vale el dominio propio que conquistar ciudades.

33 Las suertes se echan en el regazo,
    pero el veredicto proviene del Señor.

Footnotes

  1. 16:10 La sentencia. Alt. El mensaje.
  2. 16:24 al cuerpo. Lit. a los huesos.
  3. 16:27 hace. Lit. cava.
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Proverbs 16
New King James Version

Wisdom Is Better Than Gold

16 The (A)preparations[a] of the heart belong to man,
(B)But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own (C)eyes,
But the Lord weighs the spirits.

3 (D)Commit[b] your works to the Lord,
And your thoughts will be established.

4 The (E)Lord has made all for Himself,
(F)Yes, even the wicked for the day of [c]doom.

5 (G)Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
Though they join [d]forces, none will go unpunished.

6 (H)In mercy and truth
Atonement is provided for iniquity;
And (I)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 (J)Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice.

9 (K)A man’s heart plans his way,
(L)But the Lord directs his steps.

10 Divination is on the lips of the king;
His mouth must not transgress in judgment.
11 (M)Honest weights and scales are the Lord’s;
All the weights in the bag are His [e]work.
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,
For (N)a throne is established by righteousness.
13 (O)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 (P)appease it.
15 In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a (Q)cloud of the latter rain.

16 (R)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 [f]a fall.
19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,
Than to divide the [g]spoil with the proud.

20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
And whoever (S)trusts in the Lord, happy is he.

21 The wise in heart will be called prudent,
And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.
But the correction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
And adds learning to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of (T)death.

26 The person who labors, labors for himself,
For his hungry mouth drives (U)him on.

27 [h]An ungodly man digs up evil,
And it is on his lips like a burning (V)fire.
28 A perverse man sows strife,
And (W)a whisperer separates the best of friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor,
And leads him in a way that is not good.
30 He winks his eye to devise perverse things;
He [i]purses his lips and brings about evil.

31 (X)The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.

32 (Y)He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:1 plans
  2. Proverbs 16:3 Lit. Roll
  3. Proverbs 16:4 Lit. evil
  4. Proverbs 16:5 Lit. hand to hand
  5. Proverbs 16:11 concern
  6. Proverbs 16:18 stumbling
  7. Proverbs 16:19 plunder
  8. Proverbs 16:27 Lit. A man of Belial
  9. Proverbs 16:30 Lit. compresses
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Proverbs 15
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