Proverbs 16 – read and compare multiple versions
Proverbs 16
[1] The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.
[2] All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes,
but Yahweh weighs the motives.
[3] Commit your deeds to Yahweh,
and your plans shall succeed.
[4] Yahweh has made everything for its own end—
yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
[5] Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh;
they shall certainly not be unpunished.
[6] By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for.
By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.
[7] When a man’s ways please Yahweh,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
[8] Better is a little with righteousness,
than great revenues with injustice.
[9] A man’s heart plans his course,
but Yahweh directs his steps.
[10] Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king.
He shall not betray his mouth.
[11] Honest balances and scales are Yahweh’s;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
[12] It is an abomination for kings to do wrong,
for the throne is established by righteousness.
[13] Righteous lips are the delight of kings.
They value one who speaks the truth.
[14] The king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
but a wise man will pacify it.
[15] In the light of the king’s face is life.
His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
[16] How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
[17] The highway of the upright is to depart from evil.
He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
[18] Pride goes before destruction,
and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
[19] It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor,
than to divide the plunder with the proud.
[20] He who heeds the Word finds prosperity.
Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.
[21] The wise in heart shall be called prudent.
Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
[22] Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,
but the punishment of fools is their folly.
[23] The heart of the wise instructs his mouth,
and adds learning to his lips.
[24] Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
[25] There is a way which seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.
[26] The appetite of the laboring man labors for him,
for his mouth urges him on.
[27] A worthless man devises mischief.
His speech is like a scorching fire.
[28] A perverse man stirs up strife.
A whisperer separates close friends.
[29] A man of violence entices his neighbor,
and leads him in a way that is not good.
[30] One who winks his eyes to plot perversities,
one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
[31] Gray hair is a crown of glory.
It is attained by a life of righteousness.
[32] One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty;
one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
[33] The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from Yahweh.
but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.
[2] All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes,
but Yahweh weighs the motives.
[3] Commit your deeds to Yahweh,
and your plans shall succeed.
[4] Yahweh has made everything for its own end—
yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
[5] Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh;
they shall certainly not be unpunished.
[6] By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for.
By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.
[7] When a man’s ways please Yahweh,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
[8] Better is a little with righteousness,
than great revenues with injustice.
[9] A man’s heart plans his course,
but Yahweh directs his steps.
[10] Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king.
He shall not betray his mouth.
[11] Honest balances and scales are Yahweh’s;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
[12] It is an abomination for kings to do wrong,
for the throne is established by righteousness.
[13] Righteous lips are the delight of kings.
They value one who speaks the truth.
[14] The king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
but a wise man will pacify it.
[15] In the light of the king’s face is life.
His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
[16] How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
[17] The highway of the upright is to depart from evil.
He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
[18] Pride goes before destruction,
and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
[19] It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor,
than to divide the plunder with the proud.
[20] He who heeds the Word finds prosperity.
Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.
[21] The wise in heart shall be called prudent.
Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
[22] Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,
but the punishment of fools is their folly.
[23] The heart of the wise instructs his mouth,
and adds learning to his lips.
[24] Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
[25] There is a way which seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.
[26] The appetite of the laboring man labors for him,
for his mouth urges him on.
[27] A worthless man devises mischief.
His speech is like a scorching fire.
[28] A perverse man stirs up strife.
A whisperer separates close friends.
[29] A man of violence entices his neighbor,
and leads him in a way that is not good.
[30] One who winks his eyes to plot perversities,
one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
[31] Gray hair is a crown of glory.
It is attained by a life of righteousness.
[32] One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty;
one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
[33] The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from Yahweh.