Proverbs 16

1 People do the planning, ^{a16:1 Lit. Preparations of the heart belong to human beings} but the end result ^{b16:1 Or the response of the tongue} is from the LORD.ISV — Proverbs 16:1

2 Everything a person does seems pure in his own opinion, but the LORD weighs intentions.ISV — Proverbs 16:2

3 Entrust your work to the LORD, and your planning will succeed.ISV — Proverbs 16:3

4 The LORD made everything answerable to him, including the wicked at the time of trouble. ^{c16:4 Lit. evil}ISV — Proverbs 16:4

5 The LORD detests those who are proud; truly they will not go unpunished.ISV — Proverbs 16:5

6 Iniquity is atoned for by gracious love and truth, and through fear of the LORD people ^{d16:6 The Heb. lacks people} turn from evil.ISV — Proverbs 16:6

7 When a person’s ways please the LORD, even his enemies will be at peace with him.ISV — Proverbs 16:7

8 A little gain ^{e16:8 The Heb. lacks gain} with righteousness is better than great income without justice.ISV — Proverbs 16:8

9 A person plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.ISV — Proverbs 16:9

10 When a king is ready to speak officially, ^{f16:10 Lit. king speaks an oracle} what he says should not err with respect to justice.ISV — Proverbs 16:10

11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; he made all the weights in the bag.ISV — Proverbs 16:11

12 Kings detest wrongdoing, for through righteousness the throne is established.ISV — Proverbs 16:12

13 Kings take pleasure in righteous speech; they treasure a person who speaks what is upright.ISV — Proverbs 16:13

14 The king’s wrath results in a death sentence, but whoever is wise will appease him.ISV — Proverbs 16:14

15 When a king is pleased, ^{g16:15 Lit. a king’s face lightens} there is life, and his favor is like a cloud that brings spring rain.ISV — Proverbs 16:15

16 How much better than gaining gold is the acquisition of wisdom, the attainment of wisdom better than silver!ISV — Proverbs 16:16

17 The road of the upright circumvents evil, and whoever watches how he lives ^{h16:17 Lit. watches his path} preserves his life.ISV — Proverbs 16:17

18 Pride precedes destruction; an arrogant spirit appears before a fall.ISV — Proverbs 16:18

19 Better to be humble among the poor, than to share what is stolen with the proud.ISV — Proverbs 16:19

20 Whoever listens to a word of instruction prospers, and anyone who trusts in the LORD is blessed.ISV — Proverbs 16:20

21 The wise-hearted person is told to be discerning, and that pleasant speech promotes instruction.ISV — Proverbs 16:21

22 Anyone who has understanding is a fountain of life, but foolishness brings punishment to fools.ISV — Proverbs 16:22

23 A wise person’s thoughts ^{i16:23 Lit. heart} control his words, and his speech promotes instruction.ISV — Proverbs 16:23

24 Pleasant words are honey from a honeycomb— sweet to the soul and healing for the body. ^{j16:24 Lit. bone}ISV — Proverbs 16:24

25 There is a road that seems right for a man to travel, ^{k16:25 The Heb. lacks to travel} but in the end it’s the road to death.ISV — Proverbs 16:25

26 The appetite of the laborer motivates him; indeed, his hunger drives him on.ISV — Proverbs 16:26

27 A worthless person concocts evil gossip ^{l16:27 The Heb. lacks gossip} — his lips are like a burning fire.ISV — Proverbs 16:27

28 A deceitful man stirs dissension, and anyone who gossips separates friends.ISV — Proverbs 16:28

29 A violent man entices his companion and leads him on a path that is not good.ISV — Proverbs 16:29

30 Whoever winks knowingly ^{m16:30 Lit. with his eyes} is plotting ^{n16:30 So MT; LXX Syr Targ Vg read winks with his eyes considers} deceit; anyone who purses his lips is bent towards evil.ISV — Proverbs 16:30

31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is obtained by following ^{o16:31 The Heb. lacks following} a righteous path.ISV — Proverbs 16:31

32 Whoever controls his temper is better than a warrior, and anyone who has control of his spirit is better than someone who captures a city.ISV — Proverbs 16:32

33 The dice is cast into someone’s lap, but the outcome is from the LORD.ISV — Proverbs 16:33