Proverbs 16 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 16 ▼
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Smith's Literal Translation
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English Standard Version
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1 To man the dispositions of the heart, and the answer of the tongue from Jehovah. 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 man are clean in his eyes, and Jehovah tried 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 to Jehovah thy works, and thy purposes shall be 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 Jehovah made all to his purpose, and also the unjust for the 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 one lifted up of heart an abomination to Jehovah: and hand to hand, shall not be 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 mercy and truth iniquity shall be expiated: and in the fear of Jehovah a departing 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 The ways of a man being accepted of Jehovah also he will make his enemies friends 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 Good a little with justice above abundance of increase with no judgment. 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 will purpose his ways, and Jehovah will prepare 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 Divining upon the lips of the king: his mouth will not transgress 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 Weighing and balances of judgment are to Jehovah, and his work all the stones of the bag. 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 abomination of kings to do injustice: for in justice shall the throne be prepared. 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 Lips of justice the acceptance of kings; and he will love 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 king's wrath, messengers of death: and a wise man shall expiate 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 face is life, and his acceptance as the cloud of the 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 obtaining of wisdom how good above gold and the obtaining of understanding to be chosen above 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 highway of the upright is to depart from evil: to watch his ways the guarding of his soul. 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 before a breaking, and a spirit lifted up 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 Good the cast down of spirit with the humble more than to divide the 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 He understanding in the word shall find good: and he trusting in Jehovah, he being happy. 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 He understanding shall call to the wise of heart: and sweetness of lips shall add knowledge. 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 The understanding of him possessing it is a fountain of life: and the instruction of the foolish 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 shall attend to his mouth, and he shall add knowledge 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 Words of pleasantness an, 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. Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way straight before a man, and its latter state the 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 The soul of him laboring, labored for himself; for his mouth urged upon him. 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 man of Belial dug up evil, and upon his lips, 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 man of perverseness shall send forth strife: and a tale-bearer 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 man of violence will seduce his neighbor, and he caused him to go in a way 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 Closing his eyes to purpose perverseness: biting his lips he completed 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 Old age a crown of glorying, shall be found in the way of justice. 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 slow to anger is, good above the strong; and, he ruling over his spirit above him 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 In the bosom he shall, cast the lot; and from Jehovah all his judgment. 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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