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
1We may make our plans, but God has the last word.#16.1 God… word; or God inspires our words.
2You may think everything you do is right, but the LORD judges your motives.
3Ask the LORD to bless your plans, and you will be successful in carrying them out.
4Everything the LORD has made has its destiny; and the destiny of the wicked is destruction.
5The LORD hates everyone who is arrogant; he will never let them escape punishment.
6Be loyal and faithful, and God will forgive your sin. Obey the LORD and nothing evil will happen to you.
7When you please the LORD, you can make#16.7 you can make; or he will make. your enemies into friends.
8It is better to have a little, honestly earned, than to have a large income gained dishonestly.
9You may make your plans, but God directs your actions.
10The king speaks with divine authority; his decisions are always right.
11The LORD wants weights and measures to be honest and every sale to be fair.
12Kings cannot tolerate evil,#16.12 Kings… evil; or It is intolerable for kings to do evil. because justice is what makes a government strong.
13A king wants to hear the truth and will favour those who speak it.
14A wise person will try to keep the king happy; if the king becomes angry, someone may die.
15The king's favour is like the clouds that bring rain in the springtime — life is there.
16It is better — much better — to have wisdom and knowledge than gold and silver.
17Those who are good travel a road that avoids evil; so watch where you are going — it may save your life.
18Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall.
19It is better to be humble and stay poor than to be one of the arrogant and get a share of their loot.
20Pay attention to what you are taught, and you will be successful; trust in the LORD and you will be happy.
21A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is.
22Wisdom is a fountain of life to the wise, but trying to educate stupid people is a waste of time.
23Intelligent people think before they speak; what they say is then more persuasive.
24Kind words are like honey — sweet to the taste and good for your health.
25 #
Prov 14.12
What you think is the right road may lead to death.
26A labourer's appetite makes him work harder, because he wants to satisfy his hunger.
27Evil people look for ways to harm others; even their words burn with evil.
28Gossip is spread by wicked people; they stir up trouble and break up friendships.
29Violent people deceive their friends and lead them to disaster.
30Watch out for people who grin and wink at you; they have thought of something evil.
31Long life is the reward of the righteous; grey hair is a glorious crown.
32It is better to be patient than powerful. It is better to win control over yourself than over whole cities.
33People cast lots to learn God's will, but God himself determines the answer.
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Good News Bible with Deuterocanonicals/Apocrypha. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.