Proverbs
Chapter 16World English Bible
Berean Standard Bible
1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.
All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
3Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.
Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
4The LORD has made everything for its own end - yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
The LORD has made everything for His purpose - even the wicked for the day of disaster.
5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; they shall certainly not be unpunished.
Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.
7When 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 makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
8Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
9A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
10Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
11Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.
Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
12It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
13Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
14The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
18Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.
Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
26The appetite of the laboring man labors for him, for his mouth urges him on.
A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
27A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
29A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
30One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
31Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
32One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
33The 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.
World English Bible and Berean Standard Bible. Words of Jesus in gold; words the KJV translators added are in italics. Tap a verse number to copy, share or listen from there.