from Biblica1To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.2All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.3Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.4The Lord works out everything to its proper end – even the wicked for a day of disaster.5The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: they will not go unpunished.6Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.7When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.8Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.9In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.10The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice.11Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making.12Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.13Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.14A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it.15When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favour is like a rain cloud in spring.16How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!17The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.18Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.19Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.20Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,[1] and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.21The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.[2]22Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.23The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.[3]24Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.25There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.26The appetite of labourers works for them; their hunger drives them on.27A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.28A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.29A violent person entices their neighbour and leads them down a path that is not good.30Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.31Grey hair is a crown of splendour; it is attained in the way of righteousness.32Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
Proverbs 16
English Standard Version
from Crossway1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. (Mt 10:19; Mt 10:20)2All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.[1] (1Sa 16:7; Pr 12:15; Pr 21:2; Pr 24:12; Pr 30:12)3Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. (Ps 37:5)4The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. (Ex 9:16; Job 21:30; Ro 11:36)5Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. (Pr 6:16; Pr 6:17; Pr 8:13; Pr 11:21; Pr 28:20; Lu 16:15)6By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil. (Job 28:28; Pr 14:16; Pr 16:17; Da 4:27)7When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Ge 26:28; 2Ch 17:10)8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. (Pr 15:16)9The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. (Ps 37:23; Pr 19:21; Pr 20:24; Jer 10:23)10An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment. (1Ki 3:28)11A just balance and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work. (Pr 11:1)12It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness. (Pr 20:28; Pr 25:5; Pr 29:14; Isa 16:5)13Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right. (Pr 14:35; Pr 22:11)14A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it. (Pr 19:12; Pr 20:2; Pr 25:15)15In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain. (Job 29:24; Ps 72:6; Pr 13:1)16How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. (Pr 3:14; Pr 8:10; Pr 8:11; Pr 8:19; Pr 10:20)17The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. (Pr 16:6)18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. (Pr 11:2)19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. (Ex 15:9; Pr 29:23; Isa 57:15)20Whoever gives thought to the word[2] will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. (Ps 2:12; Pr 19:8)21The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. (Pr 16:23)22Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. (Pr 10:11)23The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. (Ps 37:30; Mt 12:34)24Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. (Ps 19:10; Pr 4:22; Pr 15:26)25There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.[3]26A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on. (Ec 6:7)27A worthless man plots evil, and his speech[4] is like a scorching fire. (Pr 6:12; Pr 6:14; Pr 6:19; Jas 3:6)28A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. (Pr 15:18; Pr 17:9; Pr 18:8; Pr 26:20; Pr 26:22)29A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. (Pr 1:10)30Whoever winks his eyes plans[5] dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass. (Pr 2:12; Pr 6:13)31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. (Pr 3:1; Pr 3:2; Pr 17:6; Pr 20:29)32Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. (Pr 14:29; Pr 19:11; Pr 25:28)33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. (Pr 29:26; Ac 1:26)