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Proverbs 16
New Life Version
Proverbs 16
New Life Version
16 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the thoughts of the heart.
3 Trust your work to the Lord, and your plans will work out well.
4 The Lord has made all things for His own plans, even the sinful for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is a shame to the Lord. For sure, that one will be punished.
6 Sin has been paid for by loving-kindness and truth. The fear of the Lord keeps one away from sin.
7 When the ways of a man are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even those who hate him to be at peace with him.
8 A little earned in a right way is better than much earned in a wrong way.
9 The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord shows him what to do.
10 The lips of the king should decide as God would. His mouth should not sin in deciding what is right or wrong.
11 What is fair in telling the weight of something belongs to the Lord. He cares about all the weights of the bag.
12 It is a hated thing for kings to do what is wrong. For a throne is built on what is right.
13 Lips that speak what is right and good are the joy of kings, and he who speaks the truth is loved.
14 The anger of a king carries death, but a wise man will quiet it.
15 Life is in the light of a king’s face, and his favor is like a cloud bringing the spring rain.
16 To get wisdom is much better than getting gold. To get understanding should be chosen instead of silver.
17 The road of the faithful turns away from sin. He who watches his way keeps his life.
18 Pride comes before being destroyed and a proud spirit comes before a fall.
19 It is better to be poor in spirit among poor people, than to divide the riches that were taken with the proud.
20 He who listens to the Word will find good, and happy is he who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise in heart will be called understanding. And to speak in a pleasing way helps people know what you say is right.
22 Understanding is a well of life to him who has it, but to speak strong words to fools is of no use.
23 The heart of the wise has power over his mouth and adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasing words are like honey. They are sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way that looks right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
26 A workman’s hunger works for him. The need of his mouth pushes him on.
27 A man of no worth looks for wrong-doing. His words are like burning fire.
28 A bad man spreads trouble. One who hurts people with bad talk separates good friends.
29 A man who hurts people tempts his neighbor to do the same, and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 He who winks his eyes plans to do bad things. He who closes his lips allows sinful things to happen.
31 Hair that is turning white is like a crown of honor. It is found in the way of being right with God.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the powerful. And he who rules his spirit is better than he who takes a city.
33 Man decides by throwing an object into the lap, but it is the Lord only who decides.
Proverbs 16
English Standard Version
Proverbs 16
English Standard Version
16 The plans of the heart belong to man,
but (A)the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 (B)All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord (C)weighs the spirit.[a]
3 (D)Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
4 (E)The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even (F)the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is (G)an abomination to the Lord;
(H)be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 By (I)steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by (J)the fear of the Lord one (K)turns away from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the Lord,
(L)he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 (M)Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
9 (N)The heart of man plans his way,
but (O)the Lord establishes his steps.
10 (P)An oracle is on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 (Q)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 (R)the throne is established by righteousness.
13 (S)Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
14 (T)A king's wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will (U)appease it.
15 (V)In the light of a king's face there is life,
and his (W)favor is like (X)the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 (Y)How much better to get wisdom than (Z)gold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than (AA)silver.
17 The highway of the upright (AB)turns aside from evil;
whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18 (AC)Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 (AD)It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
than to (AE)divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Whoever gives thought to the word[b] (AF)will discover good,
and blessed is he (AG)who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise of heart is called discerning,
and sweetness of speech (AH)increases persuasiveness.
22 Good sense is (AI)a fountain of life to him who has it,
but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 (AJ)The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 (AK)Gracious words are like (AL)a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and (AM)health to the body.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.[c]
26 A worker's appetite works for him;
his (AN)mouth urges him on.
27 (AO)A worthless man plots evil,
and his speech[d] is like (AP)a scorching fire.
28 (AQ)A dishonest man spreads strife,
and (AR)a whisperer (AS)separates close friends.
29 A man of violence (AT)entices his neighbor
and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 Whoever winks his eyes plans[e] (AU)dishonest things;
he who (AV)purses his lips brings evil to pass.
31 (AW)Gray hair is (AX)a crown of glory;
it (AY)is gained in a righteous life.
32 (AZ)Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 (BA)The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is (BB)from the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:2 Or spirits
- Proverbs 16:20 Or to a matter
- Proverbs 16:25 Hebrew ways of death
- Proverbs 16:27 Hebrew what is on his lips
- Proverbs 16:30 Hebrew to plan
箴 言 16
Chinese Union Version (Traditional)
箴 言 16
Chinese Union Version (Traditional)
16 心 中 的 謀 算 在 乎 人 ； 舌 頭 的 應 對 由 於 耶 和 華 。
2 人 一 切 所 行 的 ， 在 自 己 眼 中 看 為 清 潔 ； 惟 有 耶 和 華 衡 量 人 心 。
3 你 所 做 的 ， 要 交 託 耶 和 華 ， 你 所 謀 的 ， 就 必 成 立 。
4 耶 和 華 所 造 的 ， 各 適 其 用 ； 就 是 惡 人 也 為 禍 患 的 日 子 所 造 。
5 凡 心 裡 驕 傲 的 ， 為 耶 和 華 所 憎 惡 ； 雖 然 連 手 ， 他 必 不 免 受 罰 。
6 因 憐 憫 誠 實 ， 罪 孽 得 贖 ； 敬 畏 耶 和 華 的 ， 遠 離 惡 事 。
7 人 所 行 的 ， 若 蒙 耶 和 華 喜 悅 ， 耶 和 華 也 使 他 的 仇 敵 與 他 和 好 。
8 多 有 財 利 ， 行 事 不 義 ， 不 如 少 有 財 利 ， 行 事 公 義 。
9 人 心 籌 算 自 己 的 道 路 ； 惟 耶 和 華 指 引 他 的 腳 步 。
10 王 的 嘴 中 有 神 語 ， 審 判 之 時 ， 他 的 口 必 不 差 錯 。
11 公 道 的 天 平 和 秤 都 屬 耶 和 華 ； 囊 中 一 切 法 碼 都 為 他 所 定 。
12 作 惡 ， 為 王 所 憎 惡 ， 因 國 位 是 靠 公 義 堅 立 。
13 公 義 的 嘴 為 王 所 喜 悅 ； 說 正 直 話 的 ， 為 王 所 喜 愛 。
14 王 的 震 怒 如 殺 人 的 使 者 ； 但 智 慧 人 能 止 息 王 怒 。
15 王 的 臉 光 使 人 有 生 命 ； 王 的 恩 典 好 像 春 雲 時 雨 。
16 得 智 慧 勝 似 得 金 子 ； 選 聰 明 強 如 選 銀 子 。
17 正 直 人 的 道 是 遠 離 惡 事 ； 謹 守 己 路 的 ， 是 保 全 性 命 。
18 驕 傲 在 敗 壞 以 先 ； 狂 心 在 跌 倒 之 前 。
19 心 裡 謙 卑 與 窮 乏 人 來 往 ， 強 如 將 擄 物 與 驕 傲 人 同 分 。
20 謹 守 訓 言 的 ， 必 得 好 處 ； 倚 靠 耶 和 華 的 ， 便 為 有 福 。
21 心 中 有 智 慧 ， 必 稱 為 通 達 人 ； 嘴 中 的 甜 言 ， 加 增 人 的 學 問 。
22 人 有 智 慧 就 有 生 命 的 泉 源 ； 愚 昧 人 必 被 愚 昧 懲 治 。
23 智 慧 人 的 心 教 訓 他 的 口 ， 又 使 他 的 嘴 增 長 學 問 。
24 良 言 如 同 蜂 房 ， 使 心 覺 甘 甜 ， 使 骨 得 醫 治 。
25 有 一 條 路 ， 人 以 為 正 ， 至 終 成 為 死 亡 之 路 。
26 勞 力 人 的 胃 口 使 他 勞 力 ， 因 為 他 的 口 腹 催 逼 他 。
27 匪 徒 圖 謀 奸 惡 ， 嘴 上 彷 彿 有 燒 焦 的 火 。
28 乖 僻 人 播 散 紛 爭 ； 傳 舌 的 ， 離 間 密 友 。
29 強 暴 人 誘 惑 鄰 舍 ， 領 他 走 不 善 之 道 。
30 眼 目 緊 合 的 ， 圖 謀 乖 僻 ； 嘴 唇 緊 閉 的 ， 成 就 邪 惡 。
31 白 髮 是 榮 耀 的 冠 冕 ， 在 公 義 的 道 上 必 能 得 著 。
32 不 輕 易 發 怒 的 ， 勝 過 勇 士 ； 治 服 己 心 的 ， 強 如 取 城 。
33 籤 放 在 懷 裡 ， 定 事 由 耶 和 華 。
Proverbs 16
New International Version
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)
3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.(E)
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)
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)
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
those who guard their ways preserve their lives.(AA)
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)
22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,(AH)
but folly brings punishment to fools.
26 The appetite of laborers works for them;
their hunger drives them on.
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.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good
- Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive
- Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive
New Life Version (NLV)
Copyright © 1969, 2003 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
New International Version (NIV) 
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.