Proverbs 16
16
1The preparations of the heart in man,
And the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes;
But the LORD weigheth the spirits.
3Commit thy works unto the LORD,
And thy thoughts shall be established.
4The LORD hath made all things for himself:
Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD:
Though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged:
And by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7When a man's ways please the LORD,
He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8Better is a little with righteousness
Than great revenues without right.
9A man's heart deviseth his way:
But the LORD directeth his steps.
10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king:
His mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11A 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.
13Righteous lips are the delight of kings;
And they love him that speaketh right.
14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death:
But a wise man will pacify it.
15In the light of the king's countenance is life;
And his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil:
He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18Pride goeth before destruction,
And an haughty spirit before a fall.
19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly,
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good:
And whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent:
And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it:
But the instruction of fools is folly.
23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth,
And addeth learning to his lips.
24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man,
But the end thereof are the ways of death.
26He that laboureth laboureth for himself;
For his mouth craveth it of him.
27An ungodly man diggeth up evil:
And in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28A froward man soweth strife:
And a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29A violent man enticeth his neighbour,
And leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things:
Moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31The 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.
33The lot is cast into the lap;
But the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
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Proverbs 16: KJV
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Rights in the Authorized (King James) Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Published by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.
Learn More About King James VersionProverbs 16
16
Wisdom’s Blessings Come from the LORD
1The plans of the heart belong to humans,
but an answer on the tongue comes from the Lord.
2A person thinks all his ways are pure,
but the Lord weighs motives.
3Entrust your efforts to the Lord,
and your plans will succeed.
4The Lord has made everything for his own purpose,
even wicked people for the day of trouble.
5Everyone with a conceited heart is disgusting to the Lord.
Certainly, ⌞such a person⌟ will not go unpunished.
6By mercy and faithfulness, peace is made with the Lord.
By the fear of the Lord, evil is avoided.
7When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8Better a few ⌞possessions⌟ gained honestly
than many gained through injustice.
9A person may plan his own journey,
but the Lord directs his steps.
10When a divine revelation is on a king’s lips,
he cannot voice a wrong judgment.
11Honest balances and scales belong to the Lord.
He made the entire set of weights.
12Wrongdoing is disgusting to kings
because a throne is established through righteousness.
13Kings are happy with honest words,
and whoever speaks what is right is loved.
14A king’s anger announces death,
but a wise man makes peace with him.
15When the king is cheerful, there is life,
and his favor is like a cloud bringing spring rain.
16How much better it is to gain wisdom than gold,
and the gaining of understanding should be chosen over silver.
17The highway of decent people turns away from evil.
Whoever watches his way preserves his own life.
18Pride precedes a disaster,
and an arrogant attitude precedes a fall.
19Better to be humble with lowly people
than to share stolen goods with arrogant people.
20Whoever gives attention to the Lord’s word prospers,
and blessed is the person who trusts the Lord.
21The person who is truly wise is called understanding,
and speaking sweetly helps others learn.
22Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it,
but stubborn fools punish themselves with their stupidity.
23A wise person’s heart controls his speech,
and what he says helps others learn.
24Pleasant words are ⌞like⌟ honey from a honeycomb—
sweet to the spirit and healthy for the body.
Words of Advice to a Wise Son
25There is a way that seems right to a person,
but eventually it ends in death.
26A laborer’s appetite works to his advantage,
because his hunger drives him on.
27A worthless person plots trouble,
and his speech is like a burning fire.
28A devious person spreads quarrels.
A gossip separates the closest of friends.
29A violent person misleads his neighbor
and leads him on a path that is not good.
30Whoever winks his eye is plotting something devious.
Whoever bites his lips has finished his evil work.
31Silver hair is a beautiful crown found in a righteous life.
32Better to get angry slowly than to be a hero.
Better to be even-tempered than to capture a city.
33The dice are thrown,
but the Lord determines every outcome.
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