Proverbs 16 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 16 ▼
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GWT
God's Word Translation
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English Standard Version
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1 The plans of the heart belong to humans, but an answer on the tongue comes 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 A person thinks all his ways are pure, 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 Entrust your efforts to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. 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 made everything for his own purpose, even wicked people for the day of trouble. 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 conceited heart is disgusting to the LORD. Certainly, [such a person]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 By mercy and faithfulness, peace is made with the LORD. By the fear of the LORD, evil is avoided. 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 are pleasing to 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 few [possessions] gained honestly than many gained through 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 may plan his own journey, but the LORD directs 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 When a divine revelation is on a king's lips, he cannot voice a wrong 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 belong to the LORD. He made the entire set of weights. 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 Wrongdoing is disgusting to kings because 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 Kings are happy with honest words, and whoever speaks what is right is loved. 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 anger announces death, but a wise man makes peace with him. 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 the king is cheerful, there is life, and his favor is like a cloud bringing 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 How much better it is to gain wisdom than gold, and the gaining of understanding should be chosen over 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 decent people turns away from evil. Whoever watches his way preserves his own 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 precedes a disaster, and an arrogant attitude precedes 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 humble with lowly people than to share stolen goods with arrogant people. 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 Whoever gives attention to the LORD's word prospers, and blessed is the person who trusts the LORD. 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 person who is truly wise is called understanding, and speaking sweetly helps others learn. 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 fountain of life to the one who has it, but stubborn fools punish themselves with their stupidity. 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 A wise person's heart controls his speech, and what he says helps others learn. 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 [like] honey from a honeycomb- sweet to the spirit and healthy for 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 eventually it ends in 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 laborer's appetite works to his advantage, because his hunger drives 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 plots trouble, and his speech is like a burning 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 devious person spreads quarrels. A gossip separates the closest of 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 misleads his neighbor and leads 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 Whoever winks his eye is plotting something devious. Whoever bites his lips has finished his evil work. 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 Silver hair is a beautiful crown found in a righteous life. 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 to get angry slowly than to be a hero. Better to be even-tempered than to capture 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 dice are thrown, but the LORD determines every outcome. 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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