Proverbs 16 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 16 ▼
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Berean Literal Bible
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1 The plans of the heart are unto man, and from YHWH is the answer of the tongue. The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, and YHWH weighs out the spirit. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
3 Roll your works toward YHWH, and your plans will be established. Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
4 YHWH has made everything for its own end—even the wicked for the day of evil. The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. The LORD works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster.
5 An abomination to YHWH is everyone high of heart; hand to hand, he will not be acquitted. Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
6 By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of YHWH one turns aside from evil. By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil. Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided.
7 When the ways of a man please YHWH, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than an abundance of increase without justice. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
9 The heart of man plans his way, and YHWH establishes his step. The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.
10 Divination is on the lips of the king; in judgment his mouth shall not be unfaithful. An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment. The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice.
11 A balance and scales of justice are unto YHWH; all the stones of the bag are His work. A just balance and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work. Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making.
12 An abomination to kings is to commit wickedness, for by righteousness a throne is established. It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness. Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings, and one speaking uprightly he loves. Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right. Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.
14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death, and a wise man will appease it. A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it. A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it.
15 In the light of the face of a king is life, and his favor is like a cloud of spring rain. In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain. When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 To acquire wisdom—how much better than gold! And to acquire understanding is to be chosen above silver! How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!
17 The highway of the upright ones turns aside from evil; one guarding his soul watches over his way. The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
18 Before the face of breaking is pride, and before a fall is a haughty spirit. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be lowly spirit among the poor, than to divide plunder with proud ones. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
20 One acting wisely concerning a matter will find good, and one trusting in YHWH is blessed. Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.
21 The one wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of lips increases learning. The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.
22 A fountain of life is understanding to its owners, and the discipline of fools is folly. Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.
23 The heart of the wise causes his mouth to act wisely, and upon his lips he increases learning. The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.
24 Words of pleasantness are a comb of honey—sweet to the soul and healing to the bone. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way right before the face of a man, and its end is the way of death. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
26 The soul of the laborer labors for himself, because his mouth presses him onward. A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on. The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.
27 A man of worthlessness digs up evil, and upon his lips it is like a fire burning. A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.
28 A man of perversity sends out strife, and a murmurer is separating a close friend. A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good.
30 Winking his eyes to devise perversity, pursing his lips, he has accomplished evil. Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass. Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
31 Grey hair is a crown of glory; along the path of righteousness it is found. Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.
32 Better is one slow to anger than a mighty one, and one ruling over his spirit than one taking a city. Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
33 Into the lap the lot is cast, and all its judgment is from YHWH. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
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