Proverbs 16:2-21
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 16
2All the ways of a person are clean in his own sight, But the Lord examines the motives. 3 Commit your works to the Lord, And your plans will be established. 4The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil. 5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Be assured, he will not go unpunished. 6By mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing, And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil. 7When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He causes even his enemies to make peace with him. 8Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice. 9The mind of a person plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. 10A divine verdict is on the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment. 11A just balance and scales belong to the Lord; All the weights of the bag are His concern. 12It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, Because a throne is established on righteousness. 13Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And one who speaks right is loved. 14The fury of a king is like messengers of death; But a wise person will appease it. 15In the light of a king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain. 16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. 17The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; One who watches his way protects his life. 18Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. 19It is better to be humble in spirit with the needy Than to divide the spoils with the proud. 20One who pays attention to the word will find good, And blessed is one who trusts in the Lord. 21The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.King James Version
Christian Standard Bible
New Living Translation
English Standard Version
Chapter 16
2All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. 3Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. 4The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. 5Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. 6By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil. 7When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. 9The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. 10An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment. 11A just balance and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work. 12It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness. 13Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right. 14A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it. 15In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain. 16How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. 17The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. 18Pride 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 spoil with the proud. 20Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. 21The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.New International Version
New King James Version
