Proverbs 16
21st Century King James Version
16 The preparation of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the Lord weigheth his spirit.
3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4 The Lord hath made all things for Himself, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though they join hands, they shall not go unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged, and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
7 When man’s ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without righteousness.
9 A man’s heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11 A just weight and balance are the Lord’S; all the weights of the bag are His work.
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him that speaketh right.
14 The wrath of a king is as a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of the king’s countenance there is life, and his favor is as a cloud of latter rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver!
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good, and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent, and sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it, but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul and health to the bones.
25 There are ways which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26 He that laboreth, laboreth for himself, for his mouth craveth it of him.
27 A froward man diggeth up evil, and on his lips there is a burning fire.
28 A froward man soweth strife, and a whisperer separateth closest friends.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbor and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things; moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
Proverbs 16
New International Version
16 To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.(A)
3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.(E)
6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the Lord(J) evil is avoided.(K)
7 When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
he causes their enemies to make peace(L) with them.(M)
9 In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.(P)
10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
and his mouth does not betray justice.(Q)
11 Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
all the weights in the bag are of his making.(R)
12 Kings detest wrongdoing,
for a throne is established through righteousness.(S)
13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value the one who speaks what is right.(T)
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
those who guard their ways preserve their lives.(AA)
19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.
20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,[a](AE)
and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.(AF)
22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,(AH)
but folly brings punishment to fools.
26 The appetite of laborers works for them;
their hunger drives them on.
29 A violent person entices their neighbor
and leads them down a path that is not good.(AS)
30 Whoever winks(AT) with their eye is plotting perversity;
whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor;(AU)
it is attained in the way of righteousness.
32 Better a patient person than a warrior,
one with self-control than one who takes a city.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good
- Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive
- Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive
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