Proverbs 16 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 16 ▼
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1 Arrangements of the heart [are] of man, || An answer of the tongue from YHWH. 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 pure in his own eyes, || And YHWH is pondering 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 Roll your works to YHWH, || And your purposes are 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 YHWH has worked all things for Himself, || And also the wicked—for a 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 one of heart [is] an abomination to YHWH, || Hand to hand—he is not acquitted. 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 pardoned in kindness and truth, || And in the fear of YHWH || Turn aside 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 YHWH, even his enemies, || He causes 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 abundance of increase without justice. 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 devises his way, || And YHWH establishes his step. 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 oath [is] on the lips of a king, || In judgment his mouth does not trespass. 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 A just beam and balances [are] YHWH’s, || All the stones 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 Doing wickedness [is] an abomination to kings, || 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 Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings, || And he loves whoever is speaking uprightly, 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] messengers of death, || And a wise man pacifies 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 a king’s face [is] life, || And his goodwill [is] as a cloud of the 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 To get wisdom—how much better than gold, || And to get understanding—to be chosen [more] 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 A highway of the upright [is] to turn from evil, || Whoever is preserving his soul is watching 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 Pride [is] before destruction, || And before stumbling—a haughty spirit. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better is humility of spirit with the poor, || Than to apportion 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 The wise in any matter finds good, || And whoever is trusting in YHWH, O his blessedness. 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 For the wise in heart is called intelligent, || And sweetness of lips 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 fountain of life to its possessors, || 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 causes his mouth to act wisely, || And he increases learning by 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 Sayings of pleasantness [are] a honeycomb, || Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone. 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 right before a man, || And its latter end—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 A laboring man has labored for himself, || For his mouth has caused [him] to bend over it. 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 is preparing evil, || And on his lips [is] as 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 contrary man sends forth contention, || A tale-bearer is separating a familiar friend. 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 entices his neighbor, || And causes him to go 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 Consulting his eyes to devise contrary things, || Moving his lips he has accomplished 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 Grey hairs [are] a crown of beauty, || 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 Better [is] the [one] slow to anger than the mighty, || And the ruler over his spirit than he who is taking 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 center, || And all its judgment [is] from YHWH! 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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