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Proverbs 16
International Children’s Bible

16 People make plans in their hearts.
    But only the Lord can make those plans come true.

2 A person may believe he is doing right.
    But the Lord will judge his reasons.

3 Depend on the Lord in whatever you do.
    Then your plans will succeed.

4 The Lord makes everything work the way he wants it.
    He even has a day of disaster for evil people.

5 The Lord hates those who are proud.
    You can be sure that they will be punished.

6 Love and truth bring forgiveness of sin.
    By respecting the Lord you will avoid evil.

7 A person should live so that he pleases the Lord.
    If he does, even his enemies will make peace with him.

8 It is better to be poor and do what is right
    than to be wealthy and be unfair.

9 A person may think up plans.
    But the Lord decides what he will do.

10 The words of a king are like a message from God.
    So his decisions should be fair.

11 The Lord wants honest balances and scales to be used.
    He wants all weights to be honest.

12 Kings hate those who do wrong
    because governments only last if they are fair.

13 Kings are pleased with those who speak honest words.
    They value a person who speaks the truth.

14 If a king becomes angry, he may put someone to death.
    So a wise man will try to keep peace.

15 A king’s kindness can give people life.
    His kindness is like a spring shower.

16 It is better to get wisdom than gold.
    It is better to choose understanding than silver!

17 A good person stays away from evil.
    A person who watches what he does protects his life.

18 Pride leads to destruction.
    A proud attitude brings ruin.

19 It is better not to be proud and to be with those who suffer
    than to share stolen property with proud people.

20 Whoever pays attention to what he is taught will succeed.
    And whoever trusts the Lord will be happy.

21 A wise person is known for his understanding.
    He wins people to his side with pleasant words.

22 Understanding is like a fountain of water which gives life to those who use it.
    But foolishness will cause foolish people to be punished.

23 A wise person’s mind tells him what to say.
    This helps him to teach others better.

24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb.
    They make a person happy and healthy.

25 Some people think they are doing what’s right.
    But in the end it causes them to die.

26 The worker’s hunger helps him.
    His desire to eat makes him work.

27 An evil person makes evil plans.
    And his words are like a burning fire.

28 An evil person causes trouble.
    And a person who gossips ruins friendships.

29 A cruel man tricks his neighbor.
    He leads him to do wrong.

30 Someone who winks at you is planning evil.
    And the one who grins at you is about to do something wrong.

31 Gray hair is like a crown of honor.
    You earn it by living a good life.

32 Patience is better than strength.
    Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city.

33 People throw lots to make a decision.
    But the answer comes from the Lord.

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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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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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