Proverbs 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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Proverbs 16: GW
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GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 16
16
1People might plan what they want to say, but it is the Lord who gives them the right words.
2People think that whatever they do is right, but the Lord judges their reason for doing it.
3Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful.
4The Lord has a plan for everything. In his plan, the wicked will be destroyed.
5The Lord hates those who are proud. You can be sure he will punish them all.
6Faithful love and loyalty will remove your guilt.#16:6 remove your guilt Or “make atonement.” The Hebrew word means “to cover,” or “to erase” a person’s sins. Respect the Lord, and you will stay far away from evil.
7When people live to please the Lord, even their enemies will be at peace with them.
8It is better to be poor and do right than to be rich and do wrong.
9People can plan what they want to do, but it is the Lord who guides their steps.
10When a king speaks, his words are law. So when he makes a decision, it is never a mistake.
11The Lord wants all scales and balances to be right; he wants all business agreements to be fair.
12Kings hate to see anyone doing wrong,#16:12 Kings … wrong Or “It is disgusting when kings do wrong,” because kingdoms grow strong only when everyone is honest and fair.
13Kings want to hear the truth. They like those who are honest.
14When a king gets angry, he can put someone to death. So it is wise to keep the king happy.
15When the king is happy, life is better for everyone. When he is pleased, it is like a refreshing spring rain.
16Wisdom is worth much more than gold. Understanding is worth much more than silver.
17Good people try to avoid evil. They watch what they do and protect themselves.
18Pride is the first step toward destruction. Proud thoughts will lead you to defeat.
19It is better to be a humble person living among the poor than to share the wealth among the proud.
20Good things happen to those who learn from their experiences, and the Lord blesses those who trust him.
21People will know if someone is wise. Those who choose their words carefully can be very convincing.
22Good sense is a spring of fresh water to those who have it, but fools can offer only foolishness.
23Wise people always think before they speak, so what they say is worth listening to.
24Kind words are like honey; they are easy to accept and good for your health.
25There is a way that seems right to people, but that way leads only to death.
26The thought of hunger keeps the workers working so that they can eat.
27Troublemakers create disasters. Their advice destroys like a wildfire.
28Troublemakers are always causing problems. Their gossip breaks up the closest of friends.
29Cruel people trick their neighbors and make them do wrong. 30With a wink of the eye, they plan to trick someone. With a grin, they make plans to hurt their friends.
31Gray hair is a crown of glory on people who have lived good lives. It is earned by living right.
32It is better to be patient than to be a strong soldier. It is better to control your anger than to capture a city.
33People might throw lots to make a decision, but the answer always comes from the Lord.
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