Proverbs 16 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 16 ▼
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LAMSA
Lamsa Bible
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English Standard Version
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1 THE reasoning of the mind is from man; 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 the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD directs his way. 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 works to the LORD, and he will establish your thoughts. 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 All the works of the LORD are for those who will hearken to him; but the wicked are reserved for the day of calamity. 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 one who is proud in his heart is an abomination to the LORD; and he who stretches out his hand against his neighbor shall not be pardoned because of this evil. 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 truth iniquity is purged; and reverence of the LORD causes men to 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 are according to the will of the LORD, even to his enemies he shall recompense. 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 ingathering acquired unjustly. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
9 A man's heart devises his ways; 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 Oracles are on the lips of the king; his mouth does 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 weight of a just balance is the LORD'S judgment; all his works are just 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 Kings who commit wickedness are an abomination; for a 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 The lips of a righteous man are the delight of a king; and he loves the word of the upright. 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 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 favor is like a cloud of the early 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 To get wisdom is much better than gold; and to get understanding is better 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 path of the upright causes one to turn away from evil; he who is careful of his soul safeguards his way. 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 Disgrace goes before destruction, and pride before misfortune. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be humble and lowly in pride than he who divides spoil with the mighty. 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 who understands a command shall find good; who trusts 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 is a man of discernment; and he whose speech is sweet 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 Understanding is a spring of life to those who have it; but the instruction of the 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 understands the speech of his mouth and adds 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 The speech of a wise man is like honeycomb, sweet to his soul, and health to his 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 seems right in the eyes of men, but the paths thereof are the paths 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 A sorrowful person grieves himself; from his own mouth comes his destruction. 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 An ungodly man devises evil; out of his mouth issues 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 wicked man threatens justice and persecutes his neighbor without cause. 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 wicked man entices his neighbor and leads him into the 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 winks his eyes and devises corrupt things; he purposes with his lips and accomplishes mischief. 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 and is exalted 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 who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he who conquers himself than he who takes 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 evil of the vicious falls into his own bosom; and his judgment proceeds from before 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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