Proverbs 16 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 16 ▼
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1 The purposes of the heart are of man, but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah. 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 clean in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the spirits. 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 thy works unto Jehovah, and thy thoughts shall 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 Jehovah hath wrought everything on his own account, yea, 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 Every proud heart is an abomination to Jehovah: hand for hand, he shall not be held innocent. 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-kindness and truth iniquity is atoned for; and by the fear of Jehovah [men] depart 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 a man's ways please Jehovah, he maketh 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 great revenues without right. 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 deviseth his way, but Jehovah directeth 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 An oracle is on the lips of the king: his mouth will not err in 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 The just balance and scales are Jehovah's; all the weights 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 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for the throne is established by 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 the delight of kings, and they love him that speaketh aright. 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 fury of a king is [as] messengers 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. A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it.
15 In the light of the king's countenance is life, and his favour is as a cloud of the latter 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 How much better is it to get wisdom than fine gold, and the getting of intelligence to be preferred 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 is to depart from evil: he that taketh heed to his way keepeth his soul. 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 [goeth] before destruction, and a haughty 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 is it to be of a humble spirit with the meek, 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 to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
20 He that giveth heed to the word shall find good; and whoso confideth in Jehovah, happy is he. 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 wise in heart is called intelligent, and the sweetness of the lips increaseth 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 Wisdom is a fountain of life for him that hath it; but the instruction 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 maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips increaseth 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 Pleasant words are [as] a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health for the bones. 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 seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the ways 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 appetite of the labourer laboureth for him, for his mouth urgeth 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 man of Belial diggeth up evil, and on his lips there is as 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 false man soweth contention; and a talebearer separateth very 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 man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into 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 He that shutteth his eyes, [it is] to devise froward things; biting his lips, he bringeth evil to pass. 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 The hoary head is a crown of glory, [if] it is found in the way 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 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh 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 the whole decision is of Jehovah. 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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