Proverbs 16:14-33 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 16:14-33 ▼
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14 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, 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 gold! yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than 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 keepeth his way preserveth 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 an 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 it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, 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 unto the word shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, 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 shall be called prudent: 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 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the correction of fools is their 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 instructeth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 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 an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to 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 which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are 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 labouring man laboureth for him; for his mouth craveth it of him. 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 man deviseth mischief: and in 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 froward man scattereth abroad strife: and a whisperer separateth chief 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 man of violence enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth 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 He that shutteth his eyes, it is to devise froward things: he that compresseth his lips 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, it shall be 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 disposing thereof is of 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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