Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content
Previous Next
Print Page Options
Close EASY

Proverbs 16
EasyEnglish Bible

16 People make plans in their minds,
    but the Lord gives them the right words to say.
2 You may think that everything you do is right,
    but the Lord knows exactly why you are doing it.
3 Put your plans in front of the Lord,
    so that what you want to do will go well.
4 The Lord causes everything to have its proper result.
    Even wicked people will come to bad trouble in the end.
5 The Lord hates everyone who boasts.
    Be sure of this: They will receive the punishment that they deserve.
6 If you love the Lord faithfully,
    he will forgive your sins.
If you respect and obey him,
    you will not do evil things.
7 If you live in a way that pleases the Lord,
    even your enemies will become your friends.
8 If you do what is right but you are not rich,
    that is better than to be rich because you cheat people.
9 People make plans for what they will do,
    but it is the Lord who leads them in the right way.
10 A king speaks with God's authority.
    He must judge people in a fair way.
11 The Lord wants people to use true weights and measures.
    He knows all the weights that a trader uses.
12 Kings hate all wicked acts,
    because justice makes their government strong.
13 Kings are happy to hear honest advice.
    They love people who speak true words.
14 Someone may die if the king becomes angry with him.
    So a wise person will try to stop the king's anger.
15 If the king smiles at you, your life will go well.
    If he is pleased with you, that is like a cloud which gives rain in the spring.
16 It is better to have wisdom than gold or silver.
    You should want to understand what is right.
17 Honest people follow a straight road that keeps them away from evil things.
    If you want to keep your life safe, watch where you are going.
18 If you are proud, you will soon come to an end.
    Anyone who boasts will soon fall down.
19 You may be humble and have poor people as your friends.
    But that is better than if you have proud friends
    who give you things that they have robbed from others.
20 If you listen carefully to good teaching, you will do well.
    If you trust in the Lord, you are in a happy place.
21 If you have wise thoughts,
    people will say that you know what is right.
If you speak kind words,
    people will accept your teaching.
22 Wisdom is like a spring of fresh water that gives life to those who have it.
    But the silly things that fools do brings them punishment.
23 Wise people think carefully and they speak wise words.
    Then other people will accept their teaching.
24 Kind words are as sweet as honey.
    They also bring health and strength.
25 You may think that you are on a good, straight road.
    But in the end, that road may lead you to death.
26 When a worker feels hungry, it causes him to work more.
    So it helps him to get food to eat.
27 Wicked people look for ways to hurt other people.
    The cruel things that they say are like flames of fire.
28 People who tell lies cause arguments.
    If you tell people's secrets, you will lose all your friends.
29 Violent people deceive their friends.
    They lead their friends to do wrong things.
30 If someone sends secret messages with his eyes,
    he has a plan to hurt someone.
If he squeezes his lips together,
    he is ready to do an evil thing.
31 Grey hair is like a beautiful crown on your head!
    People who live in a righteous way may wear it.
32 A person who is patient is better than a brave soldier.
    If you can control your anger, you can win any battle.
33 People throw dice to choose what is right.
    But it is the Lord who decides the answer.

Listen to Proverbs 16
Close KJV

Proverbs 16
King James Version

16 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.

3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

4 The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

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.

21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.

Listen to Proverbs 16
Close ESV

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

  1. Proverbs 16:2 Or spirits
  2. Proverbs 16:20 Or to a matter
  3. Proverbs 16:25 Hebrew ways of death
  4. Proverbs 16:27 Hebrew what is on his lips
  5. Proverbs 16:30 Hebrew to plan
Listen to Proverbs 16
Close NIV

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
Listen to Proverbs 16
Close NKJV

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
Next
Proverbs 15
Proverbs 17
Next
dropdown
EasyEnglish Bible (EASY)

EasyEnglish Bible Copyright © MissionAssist 2019 - Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1162807. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

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.

ESV Study Bible
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.

July Summer Surge

More on the NIV

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Learn the Bible in 30 days