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 may make plans in their minds,
but only the Lord can make them come true.
2You may believe you are doing right,
but the Lord will judge your reasons.
3Depend on the Lord in whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed.
4The Lord makes everything go as he pleases.
He has even prepared a day of disaster for evil people.
5The Lord hates those who are proud.
They will surely be punished.
6Love and truth bring forgiveness of sin.
By respecting the Lord you will avoid evil.
7When people live so that they please the Lord,
even their enemies will make peace with them.
8It is better to be poor and right
than to be wealthy and dishonest.
9People may make plans in their minds,
but the Lord decides what they will do.
10The words of a king are like a message from God,
so his decisions should be fair.
11The Lord wants honest balances and scales;
all the weights are his work.
12Kings hate those who do wrong,
because governments only continue if they are fair.
13Kings like honest people;
they value someone who speaks the truth.
14An angry king can put someone to death,
so a wise person will try to make him happy.
15A smiling king can give people life;
his kindness is like a spring shower.
16It is better to get wisdom than gold,
and to choose understanding rather than silver!
17Good people stay away from evil.
By watching what they do, they protect their lives.
18Pride leads to destruction;
a proud attitude brings ruin.
19It is better to be humble and be with those who suffer
than to share stolen property with the proud.
20Whoever listens to what is taught will succeed,
and whoever trusts the Lord will be happy.
21The wise are known for their understanding.
Their pleasant words make them better teachers.
22Understanding is like a fountain which gives life to those who use it,
but foolishness brings punishment to fools.
23Wise people’s minds tell them what to say,
and that helps them be better teachers.
24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
making people happy and healthy.
25Some people think they are doing right,
but in the end it leads to death.
26The workers’ hunger helps them,
because their desire to eat makes them work.
27Useless people make evil plans,
and their words are like a burning fire.
28A useless person causes trouble,
and a gossip ruins friendships.
29Cruel people trick their neighbors
and lead them to do wrong.
30Someone who winks is planning evil,
and the one who grins is planning something wrong.
31Gray hair is like a crown of honor;
it is earned by living a good life.
32Patience is better than strength.
Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city.
33People throw lots to make a decision,
but the answer comes from the Lord.
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The Holy Bible, New Century Version, Copyright © 2005 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.