Proverbs 16 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 16 ▼
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BSB
Berean Standard Bible
ESV
English Standard Version
KJV
King James Version
NIV
New International Version
NLT
New Living Translation
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD. The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. The preparations of the heart in man, and 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. We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer.
2 All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD. People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.
3 Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved. Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
4 The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster. The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. The LORD works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster. The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished. Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. The LORD detests the proud; they will surely be punished.
6 By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD 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. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided. Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him. When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh 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. When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them.
8 Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest.
9 A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
10 A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice. An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice. The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly.
11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern. A just balance and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work. A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work. Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making. The LORD demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness.
12 Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness. It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice.
13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved. Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right. The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly.
14 The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it. The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it.
15 When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain. In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain.
16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver. How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!
17 The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life. The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives. The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
19 It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, 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. Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
20 Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD. Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be joyful.
21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction. The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but 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. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools.
23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but 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 seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
26 A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward. A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on. He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on. It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on.
27 A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze.
28 A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends. A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good. A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good. Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path.
30 He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil. Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass. He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil. With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness. Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness. Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city. Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
33 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. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.
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