Proverbs 16 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 16 ▼
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1 To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue. The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4 The LORD works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster. The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through 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. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7 When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them. When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice. An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11 Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making. A just balance and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work. A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work.
12 Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right. Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it. A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
15 When a king’s face brightens, it means life; 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. In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives. The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed 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 it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is 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. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24 Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end 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 seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26 The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on. A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on. He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
27 A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28 A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29 A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down 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 man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30 Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil. Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass. He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness. Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
32 Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one 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. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33 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. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
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