Proverbs 16
16
1People make plans in their hearts.
But only the Lord can make those plans come true.
2A person may believe he is doing right.
But the Lord will judge his reasons.
3Depend on the Lord in whatever you do.
Then your plans will succeed.
4The Lord makes everything work the way he wants it.
He even has a day of disaster for evil people.
5The Lord hates those who are proud.
You can be sure that they will be punished.
6Love and truth bring forgiveness of sin.
By respecting the Lord you will avoid evil.
7A person should live so that he pleases the Lord.
If he does, even his enemies will make peace with him.
8It is better to be poor and do what is right
than to be wealthy and be unfair.
9A person may think up plans.
But the Lord decides what he 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 to be used.
He wants all weights to be honest.
12Kings hate those who do wrong
because governments only last if they are fair.
13Kings are pleased with those who speak honest words.
They value a person who speaks the truth.
14If a king becomes angry, he may put someone to death.
So a wise man will try to keep peace.
15A king’s kindness can give people life.
His kindness is like a spring shower.
16It is better to get wisdom than gold.
It is better to choose understanding than silver!
17A good person stays away from evil.
A person who watches what he does protects his life.
18Pride leads to destruction.
A proud attitude brings ruin.
19It is better not to be proud and to be with those who suffer
than to share stolen property with proud people.
20Whoever pays attention to what he is taught will succeed.
And whoever trusts the Lord will be happy.
21A wise person is known for his understanding.
He wins people to his side with pleasant words.
22Understanding is like a fountain of water which gives life to those who use it.
But foolishness will cause foolish people to be punished.
23A wise person’s mind tells him what to say.
This helps him to teach others better.
24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb.
They make a person happy and healthy.
25Some people think they are doing what’s right.
But in the end it causes them to die.
26The worker’s hunger helps him.
His desire to eat makes him work.
27An evil person makes evil plans.
And his words are like a burning fire.
28An evil person causes trouble.
And a person who gossips ruins friendships.
29A cruel man tricks his neighbor.
He leads him to do wrong.
30Someone who winks at you is planning evil.
And the one who grins at you is about to do something wrong.
31Gray hair is like a crown of honor.
You earn it 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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Proverbs 16: ICB
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Copyright © 2015 by Tommy Nelson™, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.