Proverbs 16 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 16 ▼
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NABRE
New American Bible Revised
ESV
English Standard Version
NIV
New International Version
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1 Plans are made in human hearts, but from the LORD comes the tongue’s response. 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 one’s ways are pure in one’s own eyes, but the measurer of motives is the LORD. 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 works 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 a purpose, even the wicked for the evil day. 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 the LORD; be assured that none will 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 steadfast loyalty guilt is expiated, and 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 the LORD is pleased with someone’s ways, he makes even enemies be at peace with them. 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 little with justice, than a large income with injustice. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
9 The human heart plans the way, but the LORD directs the 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 upon the king’s lips, no judgment of his mouth is false. 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 Balance and scales belong to the LORD; every weight in the sack is his concern. 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 an abomination to kings, for by justice the throne endures. 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 king takes delight in honest lips, and whoever speaks what is right he loves. 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 king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise person can 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 A king’s smile means life, and his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. 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 to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is preferable 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 path of the upright leads away from misfortune; those who attend to their way guard their lives. 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 goes before disaster, 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 It is better to be humble with the poor than to share plunder 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 Whoever ponders a matter will be successful; happy the one who trusts in 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 wise of heart is esteemed for discernment, and pleasing speech gains a reputation for 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 Good sense is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly is the training of fools. 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 makes for eloquent speech, and increases the learning on their 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 Pleasing words are a honeycomb, sweet to the taste and invigorating 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 Sometimes a way seems right, but the end of it leads to 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 workers works for them, for their mouths urge them 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 Scoundrels are a furnace of evil, and their lips are like 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 Perverse speech sows discord, and talebearing separates bosom 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 The violent deceive their neighbors, and lead them 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 Whoever winks an eye plans perversity; whoever purses the lips does 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 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by a life that is just. 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 The patient are better than warriors, and those who rule their temper, better than the conqueror of 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 Into the bag the lot is cast, but from the LORD comes every decision. 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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