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Proverbs 16:18-24 - Compare All Versions

Proverbs 16:18-24 NIV (New International Version)

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD. The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:18-24 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Proverbs 16:18-24 NLT (New Living Translation)

Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud. Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be joyful. The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive. Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools. From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Proverbs 16:18-24 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.  Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble  , than to divide plunder with the proud.  The one who understands a matter finds success,  and the one who trusts in the  LORD will be happy.  Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech  increases learning.  Insight is a fountain of life  for its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly. The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth; it adds learning to his speech.  , Pleasant words are a honeycomb:  sweet to the taste  and health to the body. 

Proverbs 16:18-24 KJV (King James Version)

Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: And whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. The wise in heart shall be called prudent: And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: But the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Proverbs 16:18-24 NKJV (New King James Version)

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he. The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning. Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

Proverbs 16:18-24 MSG (The Message)

First pride, then the crash— the bigger the ego, the harder the fall. It’s better to live humbly among the poor than to live it up among the rich and famous. It pays to take life seriously; things work out when you trust in GOD. A wise person gets known for insight; gracious words add to one’s reputation. True intelligence is a spring of fresh water, while fools sweat it out the hard way. They make a lot of sense, these wise folks; whenever they speak, their reputation increases. Gracious speech is like clover honey— good taste to the soul, quick energy for the body.

Proverbs 16:18-24 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. It is better to be humble in spirit with the needy Than to divide the spoils with the proud. One who pays attention to the word will find good, And blessed is one who trusts in the LORD. The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, But the discipline of fools is foolishness. The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:18-24 AMP (Amplified Bible)

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud (haughty, arrogant). He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good, And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the LORD. The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener]. Understanding (spiritual insight) is a [refreshing and boundless] wellspring of life to those who have it, But to give instruction and correction to fools is foolishness. The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom] And adds persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.

Proverbs 16:18-24 NET (New English Translation)

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoils with the proud. The one who deals wisely in a matter will find success, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD. The one who is wise in heart is called discerning, and kind speech increases persuasiveness. Insight is like a life-giving fountain to the one who possesses it, but folly leads to the discipline of fools. A wise person’s heart makes his speech wise and it adds persuasiveness to his words. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.