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

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

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Footnotes

  1. 16:2 Lit spirits

16 To people belong the plans of the heart,
    but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord.
All the ways of people
are pure in their eyes,
    but the Lord tests the motives.

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

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The Lord made everything for a purpose,
    even the wicked for an evil day.

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

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When people draw favor from the Lord,
    even their enemies are at peace with them.

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

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People plan their path,
    but the Lord secures their steps.

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

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11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
    all the weights in the bag are his doing.

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

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33 The dice are cast into the lap;
    all decisions are from the Lord.

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