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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
Listen to Proverbs 16
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Proverbs 16
Holman Christian Standard Bible

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

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

3 Commit your activities to the Lord,
and your plans will be achieved.(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 Wickedness is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,(G)
and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.(H)

7 When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He[c] 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 man’s heart plans his way,
but the Lord determines his steps.(K)

10 God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;[d](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[e] are His concern.(N)

12 Wicked behavior[f] 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 man 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[g](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[h] increases learning.(Z)

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

23 A wise heart instructs its mouth
and increases learning with its speech.[i](AB)

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

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

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

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

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

29 A violent man lures his neighbor,(AH)
leading him in a way 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 way of righteousness.(AL)

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

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

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:2 Lit weighs spirits
  2. Proverbs 16:5 Lit hand to hand
  3. Proverbs 16:7 Or he
  4. Proverbs 16:10 Or A divination is on the lips of a king
  5. Proverbs 16:11 Merchants kept the stones for their scales in a bag.
  6. Proverbs 16:12 Either the king’s or someone else’s behavior
  7. Proverbs 16:19 Alt Hb tradition reads afflicted
  8. Proverbs 16:21 Lit and sweetness of lips
  9. Proverbs 16:23 Lit learning upon his lips
  10. Proverbs 16:24 Lit throat
  11. Proverbs 16:24 Lit bones
  12. Proverbs 16:26 Lit mouth
  13. Proverbs 16:32 Lit and ruling over one’s spirit
Close CEV

Proverbs 16
Contemporary English Version

The Lord Has the Final Word

16 We humans make plans,
but the Lord
    has the final word.
2 We may think we know
    what is right,
but the Lord is the judge
    of our motives.
3 Share your plans with the Lord,
    and you will succeed.

4 The Lord has a reason
    for everything he does,
and he lets evil people live
    only to be punished.
5 The Lord doesn't like
    anyone who is conceited—
you can be sure
    they will be punished.
6 (A) If we truly love God,
    our sins will be forgiven;
if we show him respect,
    we will keep away from sin.
7 When we please the Lord,
even our enemies
    make friends with us.
8 (B) It's better to be honest
    and poor
than to be dishonest
    and rich.

9 We make our own plans,
but the Lord decides
    where we will go.
10 Rulers speak with authority
    and are never wrong.
11 The Lord watches to see
if we are fair
    or if we cheat others.
12 Justice makes rulers powerful.
They should hate evil
13     and like honesty and truth.
14 An angry ruler
    can put you to death.
So be wise!
    Don't make one angry.
15 When a ruler is happy
    and pleased with you,
it's like refreshing rain,
    and you will live.

16 It's much better to be wise
and sensible
    than to be rich.
17 God's people avoid evil ways,
and they protect themselves
    by watching where they go.
18 Too much pride
    will destroy you.
19 You are better off
    to be humble and poor
than to get rich
    from what you take by force.
20 If you know what you're doing,[a]
    you will prosper.
God blesses everyone
    who trusts him.
21 Good judgment proves
    that you are wise,
and if you speak kindly,
    you can teach others.
22 Good sense is a fountain
    that gives life,
but fools are punished
    by their foolishness.
23 You can persuade others
if you are wise
    and speak sensibly.

24 Kind words are like honey—
they cheer you up
    and make you feel strong.
25 (C) Sometimes what seems right
    is really a road to death.
26 The hungrier you are,
    the harder you work.
27 Worthless people plan trouble.
Even their words burn
    like a flaming fire.
28 (D) Gossip is no good!
It causes hard feelings
    and comes between friends.

29 Don't trust violent people.
They will mislead you
    to do the wrong thing.
30 When someone winks
or grins behind your back,
    trouble is on the way.
31 Gray hair is a glorious crown
worn by those
    who have lived right.
32 Controlling your temper
is better than being a hero
    who captures a city.
33 We make our own decisions,
but the Lord alone
    determines what happens.

Footnotes

  1. 16.20 know what … doing: Or “do what you're taught.”
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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
Close NLT

Proverbs 16
New Living Translation

16 We can make our own plans,
    but the Lord gives the right answer.

2 People may be pure in their own eyes,
    but the Lord examines their motives.

3 Commit your actions to the Lord,
    and your plans will succeed.

4 The Lord has made everything for his own purposes,
    even the wicked for a day of disaster.

5 The Lord detests the proud;
    they will surely be punished.

6 Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin.
    By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.

7 When people’s lives please the Lord,
    even their enemies are at peace with them.

8 Better to have little, with godliness,
    than to be rich and dishonest.

9 We can make our plans,
    but the Lord determines our steps.

10 The king speaks with divine wisdom;
    he must never judge unfairly.

11 The Lord demands accurate scales and balances;
    he sets the standards for fairness.

12 A king detests wrongdoing,
    for his rule is built on justice.

13 The king is pleased with words from righteous lips;
    he loves those who speak honestly.

14 The anger of the king is a deadly threat;
    the wise will try to appease it.

15 When the king smiles, there is life;
    his favor refreshes like a spring rain.

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
    and good judgment than silver!

17 The path of the virtuous leads away from evil;
    whoever follows that path is safe.

18 Pride goes before destruction,
    and haughtiness before a fall.

19 Better to live humbly with the poor
    than to share plunder with the proud.

20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper;
    those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

21 The wise are known for their understanding,
    and pleasant words are persuasive.

22 Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it,
    but discipline is wasted on fools.

23 From a wise mind comes wise speech;
    the words of the wise are persuasive.

24 Kind words are like honey—
    sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

25 There is a path before each person that seems right,
    but it ends in death.

26 It is good for workers to have an appetite;
    an empty stomach drives them on.

27 Scoundrels create trouble;
    their words are a destructive blaze.

28 A troublemaker plants seeds of strife;
    gossip separates the best of friends.

29 Violent people mislead their companions,
    leading them down a harmful path.

30 With narrowed eyes, people plot evil;
    with a smirk, they plan their mischief.

31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;
    it is gained by living a godly life.

32 Better to be patient than powerful;
    better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

33 We may throw the dice,[a]
    but the Lord determines how they fall.

Footnotes

  1. 16:33 Hebrew We may cast lots.
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Proverbs 15
Proverbs 17
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