Proverbs 16 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 16 ▼
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SEP
Brenton Septuagint Translation
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English Standard Version
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New International Version
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1 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 works of the humble man are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day. 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 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 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 that is proud in heart is unclean before God, and he that unjustly strikes hands with hand shall not be held guiltless. 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 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 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 revenues with injustice. Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
9 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 There is an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgement. 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 poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures. 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 An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule 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 acceptable to a king; and he loves right words. 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 anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify 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 The son of a king is in the light of life; and they that are in favour with him are as a cloud of latter 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 The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen 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 paths of life turn aside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are length of life. He that receives instruction shall be in prosperity; and he that regards reproofs shall be made wise. He that keeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he that loves his life will spare his mouth. 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 destruction, and folly 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 Better is a meek-spirited man with lowliness, than one who divides spoils 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 He who is skillful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed. 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 Men call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more. 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; but the instruction of fools is evil. 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 will discern the things which proceed from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge. 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 Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul. 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 are ways that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of hell. 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 man who labours, labours for himself, and drives from him his own ruin. 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 But the perverse bears destruction upon his own mouth: a foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips. 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 perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates 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 transgressor tries to ensnare friends, and leads them in ways that are 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 And the man that fixes his eyes devises perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evil: he is a furnace of wickedness. 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 Old age is a crown of honour, but it is found in the ways 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 A man slow to anger is better than a strong man ; and he that governs his temper better than he that 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 All evils come upon the ungodly into their bosoms; but all righteous things come of 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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