Proverbs 16 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 16 ▼
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CSB
Christian Standard Bible
ESV
English Standard Version
NIV
New International Version
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1 The reflections of the heart belong to mankind, but the answer 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. To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.
2 All a person’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs motives. 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 Commit your activities to the LORD, 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 The LORD has prepared 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 works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster.
5 Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. 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 Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of the LORD. 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 a person’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 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 a little with righteousness than great income with injustice. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
9 A person’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps. 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 God’s verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth should not give an unfair judgment. 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 Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s; 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. Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making.
12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness. 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 Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly. 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 A king’s fury is a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases 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 When a king’s face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with 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 Get wisdom — how much better it is than gold! And get understanding — it is preferable to 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 avoids evil; the one 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 avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
18 Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. 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 of spirit with the humble than to divide plunder with the proud. 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 The one who understands a matter finds success, and the one who trusts in the LORD will be happy. 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 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech 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 Insight is a fountain of life for 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. Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.
23 The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth; it adds learning to his speech. 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 Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body. 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 that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to 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 A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger urges him on. 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 worthless person digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. 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 contrary person spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. 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 violent person lures his neighbor, leading him on 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 person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good.
30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions; the one who compresses his lips brings about 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 Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the ways of righteousness. 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 Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s emotions, than capturing 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 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 its every decision is from the LORD.
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