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Proverbs 16
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

16 The plans of the mind belong to mortals,
    but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All one’s ways may be pure in one’s own eyes,
    but the Lord weighs the spirit.
3 Commit your work to the Lord,
    and your plans will be established.
4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
    even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the Lord;
    be assured, they will not go unpunished.
6 By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
    and by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.
7 When the ways of people please the Lord,
    he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.
8 Better is a little with righteousness
    than large income with injustice.
9 The human mind plans the way,
    but the Lord directs the steps.
10 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king;
    his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
    all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
    for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
    and he loves those who speak what is right.
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
    and whoever is wise will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face there is life,
    and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
    To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
    those who guard their way preserve their lives.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor
    than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper,
    and happy are those who trust in the Lord.
21 The wise of heart is called perceptive,
    and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it,
    but folly is the punishment of fools.
23 The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious,
    and adds persuasiveness to their lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
25 Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right,
    but in the end it is the way to death.
26 The appetite of workers works for them;
    their hunger urges them on.
27 Scoundrels concoct evil,
    and their speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A perverse person spreads strife,
    and a whisperer separates close friends.
29 The violent entice their neighbors,
    and lead them in a way that is not good.
30 One who winks the eyes plans[a] perverse things;
    one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;
    it is gained in a righteous life.
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
    and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
    but the decision is the Lord’s alone.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:30 Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb to plan
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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)

2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them,(B)
    but motives are weighed(C) by the Lord.(D)

3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.(E)

4 The Lord works out everything to its proper end(F)—
    even the wicked for a day of disaster.(G)

5 The Lord detests all the proud of heart.(H)
    Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.(I)

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)

8 Better a little with righteousness
    than much gain(N) with injustice.(O)

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)

14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,(U)
    but the wise will appease it.(V)

15 When a king’s face brightens, it means life;(W)
    his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.(X)

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
    to get insight(Y) rather than silver!(Z)

17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
    those who guard their ways preserve their lives.(AA)

18 Pride(AB) goes before destruction,
    a haughty spirit(AC) before a fall.(AD)

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)

21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
    and gracious words promote instruction.[b](AG)

22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,(AH)
    but folly brings punishment to fools.

23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,(AI)
    and their lips promote instruction.[c](AJ)

24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,(AK)
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.(AL)

25 There is a way that appears to be right,(AM)
    but in the end it leads to death.(AN)

26 The appetite of laborers works for them;
    their hunger drives them on.

27 A scoundrel(AO) plots evil,
    and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.(AP)

28 A perverse person stirs up conflict,(AQ)
    and a gossip separates close friends.(AR)

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.

33 The lot is cast(AV) into the lap,
    but its every decision(AW) is from the Lord.(AX)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good
  2. Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive
  3. Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive
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Proverbs 15
Proverbs 17
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