Proverbs 16
16
1The plans of the mind belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the spirit.
3Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
4The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5Every one who is arrogant is an abomination to the Lord;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.
7When a man's ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
9A man's mind plans his way,
but the Lord directs his steps.
10Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11A just balance and scales are the Lord's;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
12It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for the throne is established by righteousness.
13Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
14A king's wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will appease it.
15In the light of a king's face there is life,
and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16To get wisdom is better#16.16 Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb how much better than gold;
to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;
he who guards his way preserves his life.
18Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20He who gives heed to the word will prosper,
and happy is he who trusts in the Lord.
21The wise of heart is called a man of discernment,
and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
22Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it,
but folly is the chastisement of fools.
23The mind of the wise makes his speech judicious,
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
25There is a way which seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.#16.25 Heb ways of death
26A worker's appetite works for him;
his mouth urges him on.
27A worthless man plots evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28A perverse man spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.
29A man of violence entices his neighbor
and leads him in a way that is not good.
30He who winks his eyes plans#16.30 Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb to plan perverse things,
he who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.
31A hoary head is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.
32He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33The lot is cast into the lap,
but the decision is wholly from the Lord.
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Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America
Proverbs 16
16
1To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
2All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the Lord.
3Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.
4The Lord works out everything to its proper end –
even the wicked for a day of disaster.
5The Lord detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: they will not go unpunished.
6Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.
7When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
8Better a little with righteousness
than much gain with injustice.
9In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.
10The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
and his mouth does not betray justice.
11Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
all the weights in the bag are of his making.
12Kings detest wrongdoing,
for a throne is established through righteousness.
13Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value the one who speaks what is right.
14A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
but the wise will appease it.
15When a king’s face brightens, it means life;
his favour is like a rain cloud in spring.
16How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to get insight rather than silver!
17The highway of the upright avoids evil;
those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
18Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.
19Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.
20Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,#16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good
and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
21The wise in heart are called discerning,
and gracious words promote instruction.#16:21 Or words make a person persuasive
22Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,
but folly brings punishment to fools.
23The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,
and their lips promote instruction.#16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive
24Gracious words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.
26The appetite of labourers works for them;
their hunger drives them on.
27A scoundrel plots evil,
and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.
28A perverse person stirs up conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.
29A violent person entices their neighbour
and leads them down a path that is not good.
30Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity;
whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
31Grey hair is a crown of splendour;
it is attained in the way of righteousness.
32Better a patient person than a warrior,
one with self-control than one who takes a city.
33The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.
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