Proverbs 16
16
The Lord Has the Final Word
1We humans make plans,
but the Lord
has the final word.
2We may think we know
what is right,
but the Lord is the judge
of our motives.
3Share your plans with the Lord,
and you will succeed.
4The Lord has a reason
for everything he does,
and he lets evil people live
only to be punished.
5The Lord doesn't like
anyone who is conceited—
you can be sure
they will be punished.
6 #
Tb 12.9. If we truly love God,
our sins will be forgiven;
if we show him respect,
we will keep away from sin.
7When we please the Lord,
even our enemies
make friends with us.
8 #
Tb 12.8. It's better to be honest
and poor
than to be dishonest
and rich.
9We make our own plans,
but the Lord decides
where we will go.
10Rulers speak with authority
and are never wrong.
11The Lord watches to see
if we are fair
or if we cheat others.
12Justice makes rulers powerful.
They should hate evil
13and like honesty and truth.
14An angry ruler
can put you to death.
So be wise!
Don't make one angry.
15When a ruler is happy
and pleased with you,
it's like refreshing rain,
and you will live.
16It's much better to be wise
and sensible
than to be rich.
17God's people avoid evil ways,
and they protect themselves
by watching where they go.
18Too much pride
will destroy you.
19You are better off
to be humble and poor
than to get rich
from what you take by force.
20If you know what you're doing,#16.20 know what … doing: Or “do what you're taught.”
you will prosper.
God blesses everyone
who trusts him.
21Good judgment proves
that you are wise,
and if you speak kindly,
you can teach others.
22Good sense is a fountain
that gives life,
but fools are punished
by their foolishness.
23You can persuade others
if you are wise
and speak sensibly.
24Kind words are like honey—
they cheer you up
and make you feel strong.
25 #
Pr 14.12. Sometimes what seems right
is really a road to death.
26The hungrier you are,
the harder you work.
27Worthless people plan trouble.
Even their words burn
like a flaming fire.
28 #
Si 28.13-26. Gossip is no good!
It causes hard feelings
and comes between friends.
29Don't trust violent people.
They will mislead you
to do the wrong thing.
30When someone winks
or grins behind your back,
trouble is on the way.
31Gray hair is a glorious crown
worn by those
who have lived right.
32Controlling your temper
is better than being a hero
who captures a city.
33We make our own decisions,
but the Lord alone
determines what happens.
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Proverbs 16: CEV
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 16
16
1The reflections of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. # Pr 16:9; 19:21
2All a man’s ways seem right to him,
but the Lord evaluates the motives. # Lit weighs spirits # 1Sm 16:7; Pr 17:3; 19:21; 21:2
3Commit your activities to the Lord,
and your plans will be achieved. # Ps 37:4-5
4The Lord has prepared everything for His purpose —
even the wicked for the day of disaster. # Ex 9:16; Rm 9:21-22
5Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord; # 2Ch 32:25; Pr 6:16-17; 8:13
be assured, # Lit hand to hand he will not go unpunished. # Ps 101:5; Pr 11:21; 16:18
6Wickedness is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, # Dn 4:27; Lk 11:41
and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord. # Jb 28:28; Pr 3:7; 14:16
7When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He # Or he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. # 2Ch 17:10
8Better a little with righteousness
than great income with injustice. # Ps 37:16; Pr 15:16-17; 16:19; 28:6
9A man’s heart plans his way,
but the Lord determines his steps. # Ps 37:23; Pr 16:1; 19:21; 20:24; Jr 10:23
10God’s verdict is on the lips of a king; # Or A divination is on the lips of a king # 2Sm 14:17,20; 1Kg 3:28
his mouth should not give an unfair judgment. # 2Sm 23:2-3; Pr 18:14-15
11Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag # Merchants kept the stones for their scales in a bag. are His concern. # Lv 19:36; Pr 11:1; Ezk 45:10; Mc 6:11
12Wicked behavior # Either the king’s or someone else’s behavior is detestable to kings, # Pr 31:3-5
since a throne is established through righteousness. # Ps 101; Pr 25:5
13Righteous lips are a king’s delight,
and he loves one who speaks honestly.
14A king’s fury is a messenger of death,
but a wise man appeases it. # Ec 10:4
15When a king’s face lights up, there is life;
his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.
16Get wisdom —
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding —
it is preferable to silver. # Pr 3:14; 8:10,19; 22:1
17The highway of the upright # Is 35:8 avoids evil;
the one who guards his way protects his life. # Pr 2:11-13; 15:19
18Pride comes before destruction,
and an arrogant spirit before a fall. # Pr 11:2; 16:5; 18:12; 29:23; Dn 4:37; Ob 3-4
19Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble # Alt Hb tradition reads afflicted # Pr 29:23; Is 57:15
than to divide plunder with the proud. # Ex 15:9; Ps 37:16; Pr 1:13-14; 15:16-17; 16:8
20The one who understands a matter finds success, # Pr 19:8
and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy. # Ps 2:12; 34:8; 40:4; 84:12; 146:5; Jr 17:7
21Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,
and pleasant speech # Lit and sweetness of lips increases learning. # Pr 1:5; 9:9; 16:23
22Insight is a fountain of life # Pr 10:11; 13:14; 14:27 for its possessor,
but the discipline of fools is folly.
23A wise heart instructs its mouth
and increases learning with its speech. # Lit learning upon his lips # Ps 37:30; Pr 1:5; 9:9; Mt 12:34
24Pleasant words are a honeycomb: # Ps 19:10; Pr 15:26
sweet to the taste # Lit throat and health to the body. # Lit bones # Pr 4:22; 15:30; 25:13
25There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death. # Pr 14:12; 24:20
26A worker’s appetite works for him
because his hunger # Lit mouth urges him on.
27A worthless man digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire. # Pr 6:12; 19:28; 26:23; Jms 3:6
28A contrary man spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends. # Pr 6:14,19; 17:9; 26:20-21; 28:25
29A violent man lures his neighbor, # Pr 1:10
leading him in a way that is not good. # 1Sm 12:23; Ps 36:4; Pr 28:10
30The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;
the one who compresses his lips brings about evil. # Ps 35:19; Pr 6:12-14; 10:10
31Gray hair is a glorious crown; # Lv 19:32; Pr 4:9; 20:29
it is found in the way of righteousness. # Pr 3:1-2
32Patience is better than power,
and controlling one’s temper, # Lit and ruling over one’s spirit than capturing a city. # Pr 25:15,28; 29:11
33The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord. # Pr 16:1; 19:21; 21:31
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