Proverbs 16:2-24 - Compare All Versions

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All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. The LORD works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster. The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided. When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them. Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice. Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making. Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right. A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it. When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD. The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil. When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment. A just balance and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work. It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right. A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it. In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain. How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives. Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster. The LORD detests the proud; they will surely be punished. Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil. When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them. Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly. The LORD demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness. A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice. The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly. The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it. When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain. How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver! The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe. Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud. Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be joyful. The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive. Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools. From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

All a person’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs motives.  , Commit your activities to the  LORD, and your plans will be established.  The LORD has prepared everything for his purpose — even the wicked for the day of disaster.  Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the  LORD;  be assured,  he will not go unpunished.  Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,  and one turns from evil by the fear of the  LORD.  When a person’s ways please the  LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.  Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.  A person’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.  God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;  , his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.  Honest balances and scales are the  LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his concern.  Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,  since a throne is established through righteousness.  Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly. A king’s fury is a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.  When a king’s face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain. Get wisdom — how much better it is than gold! And get understanding — it is preferable to silver.  The highway of the upright  avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life.  Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.  Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble  , than to divide plunder with the proud.  The one who understands a matter finds success,  and the one who trusts in the  LORD will be happy.  Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech  increases learning.  Insight is a fountain of life  for its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly. The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth; it adds learning to his speech.  , Pleasant words are a honeycomb:  sweet to the taste  and health to the body. 

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the spirits. Commit thy works unto the LORD, And thy thoughts shall be established. The LORD hath made all things for himself: Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: Though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: And by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. When a man's ways please the LORD, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness Than great revenues without right. A man's heart deviseth his way: But the LORD directeth his steps. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: His mouth transgresseth not in judgment. A just weight and balance are the LORD's: All the weights of the bag are his work. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: For the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: But a wise man will pacify it. In the light of the king's countenance is life; And his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: And whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. The wise in heart shall be called prudent: And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: But the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established. The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom. Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished. In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil. When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice. A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. Divination is on the lips of the king; His mouth must not transgress in judgment. Honest weights and scales are the LORD’s; All the weights in the bag are His work. It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right. As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, But a wise man will appease it. In the light of the king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain. How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul. Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he. The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning. Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; GOD probes for what is good. Put GOD in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place. GOD made everything with a place and purpose; even the wicked are included—but for judgment. GOD can’t stomach arrogance or pretense; believe me, he’ll put those braggarts in their place. Guilt is banished through love and truth; Fear-of-GOD deflects evil. When GOD approves of your life, even your enemies will end up shaking your hand. Far better to be right and poor than to be wrong and rich. We plan the way we want to live, but only GOD makes us able to live it. A good leader motivates, doesn’t mislead, doesn’t exploit. GOD cares about honesty in the workplace; your business is his business. Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds; sound leadership has a moral foundation. Good leaders cultivate honest speech; they love advisors who tell them the truth. An intemperate leader wreaks havoc in lives; you’re smart to stay clear of someone like that. Good-tempered leaders invigorate lives; they’re like spring rain and sunshine. Get wisdom—it’s worth more than money; choose insight over income every time. The road of right living bypasses evil; watch your step and save your life. First pride, then the crash— the bigger the ego, the harder the fall. It’s better to live humbly among the poor than to live it up among the rich and famous. It pays to take life seriously; things work out when you trust in GOD. A wise person gets known for insight; gracious words add to one’s reputation. True intelligence is a spring of fresh water, while fools sweat it out the hard way. They make a lot of sense, these wise folks; whenever they speak, their reputation increases. Gracious speech is like clover honey— good taste to the soul, quick energy for the body.

All the ways of a person are clean in his own sight, But the LORD examines the motives. Commit your works to the LORD, And your plans will be established. The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil. Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Be assured, he will not go unpunished. By mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil. When a person’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, He causes even his enemies to make peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice. The mind of a person plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. A divine verdict is on the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment. A just balance and scales belong to the LORD; All the weights of the bag are His concern. It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, Because a throne is established on righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And one who speaks right is loved. The fury of a king is like messengers of death; But a wise person will appease it. In the light of a king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain. How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; One who watches his way protects his life. Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. It is better to be humble in spirit with the needy Than to divide the spoils with the proud. One who pays attention to the word will find good, And blessed is one who trusts in the LORD. The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, But the discipline of fools is foolishness. The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions], But the LORD weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth]. [1 Sam 16:7; Heb 4:12] Commit your works to the LORD [submit and trust them to Him], And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance]. The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked [according to their role] for the day of evil. Everyone who is proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting and exceedingly offensive to the LORD; Be assured he will not go unpunished. [Prov 8:13; 11:20, 21] By mercy and lovingkindness and truth [not superficial ritual] wickedness is cleansed from the heart, And by the fear of the LORD one avoids evil. When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness Than great income [gained] with injustice. [Ps 37:16; Prov 15:16] A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the LORD directs his steps and establishes them. [Ps 37:23; Prov 20:24; Jer 10:23] A divine decision [given by God] is on the lips of the king [as His representative]; His mouth should not be unfaithful or unjust in judgment. [Deut 17:18-20; 2 Sam 14:17-20; 1 Kin 3:9-12; Is 11:2] A just balance and [honest] scales are the LORD’S; All the weights of the bag are His concern [established by His eternal principles]. It is repulsive [to God and man] for kings to behave wickedly, For a throne is established on righteousness (right standing with God). Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And he who speaks right is loved. The wrath of a king is like a messenger of death, But a wise man will appease it. In the light of the king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud bringing the spring rain. How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. [Prov 8:10, 19] The highway of the upright turns away and departs from evil; He who guards his way protects his life (soul). Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud (haughty, arrogant). He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good, And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the LORD. The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener]. Understanding (spiritual insight) is a [refreshing and boundless] wellspring of life to those who have it, But to give instruction and correction to fools is foolishness. The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom] And adds persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.

All a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives. Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established. The LORD works everything for its own ends – even the wicked for the day of disaster. The LORD abhors every arrogant person; rest assured that they will not go unpunished. Through loyal love and truth iniquity is appeased; through fearing the LORD one avoids evil. When a person’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he even reconciles his enemies to himself. Better to have a little with righteousness than to have abundant income without justice. A person plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps. The divine verdict is in the words of the king, his pronouncements must not act treacherously against justice. Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are his handiwork. Doing wickedness is an abomination to kings, because a throne is established in righteousness. The delight of kings is righteous counsel, and they love the one who speaks uprightly. A king’s wrath is like a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it. In the light of the king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds of the spring rain. How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver. The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; the one who guards his way safeguards his life. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoils with the proud. The one who deals wisely in a matter will find success, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD. The one who is wise in heart is called discerning, and kind speech increases persuasiveness. Insight is like a life-giving fountain to the one who possesses it, but folly leads to the discipline of fools. A wise person’s heart makes his speech wise and it adds persuasiveness to his words. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.