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Proverbs 16:25-33 - Compare All Versions

Proverbs 16:25-33 NIV (New International Version)

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on. A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good. Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil. Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness. Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

Proverbs 16:25-33 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on. A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass. Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

Proverbs 16:25-33 NLT (New Living Translation)

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on. Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze. A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path. With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief. Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life. Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.

Proverbs 16:25-33 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.  A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger  urges him on. A worthless person digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.  A contrary person spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.  A violent person lures his neighbor,  leading him on a path that is not good.  The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions; the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.  Gray hair is a glorious crown;  it is found in the ways of righteousness.  Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s emotions,  than capturing a city.  The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the  LORD.

Proverbs 16:25-33 KJV (King James Version)

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death. He that laboureth laboureth for himself; For his mouth craveth it of him. An ungodly man diggeth up evil: And in his lips there is as a burning fire. A froward man soweth strife: And a whisperer separateth chief friends. A violent man enticeth his neighbour, And leadeth him into the way that is not good. He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: Moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. The hoary head is a crown of glory, If it be found in the way of righteousness. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

Proverbs 16:25-33 NKJV (New King James Version)

There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on. An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good. He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil. The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness. He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.

Proverbs 16:25-33 MSG (The Message)

There’s a way that looks harmless enough; look again—it leads straight to hell. Appetite is an incentive to work; hunger makes you work all the harder. Mean people spread mean gossip; their words smart and burn. Troublemakers start fights; gossips break up friendships. Calloused climbers betray their very own friends; they’d stab their own grandmothers in the back. A shifty eye betrays an evil intention; a clenched jaw signals trouble ahead. Gray hair is a mark of distinction, the award for a God-loyal life. Moderation is better than muscle, self-control better than political power. Make your motions and cast your votes, but GOD has the final say.

Proverbs 16:25-33 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)

There is a way which seems right to a person, But its end is the way of death. A worker’s appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on. A worthless person digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire. A perverse person spreads strife, And a slanderer separates close friends. A person of violence entices his neighbor And leads him in a way that is not good. He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass. A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city. The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.

Proverbs 16:25-33 AMP (Amplified Bible)

There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, But its end is the way of death. The appetite of a worker works for him, For his hunger urges him on. A worthless man devises and digs up evil, And the words on his lips are like a scorching fire. A perverse man spreads strife, And one who gossips separates intimate friends. [Prov 17:9] A violent and exceedingly covetous man entices his neighbor [to sin], And leads him in a way that is not good. He who [slyly] winks his eyes does so to plot perverse things; And he who compresses his lips [as if in a secret signal] brings evil to pass. The silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. [Prov 20:29] He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty [soldier], And he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city. The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.

Proverbs 16:25-33 NET (New English Translation)

There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death. A laborer’s appetite works on his behalf, for his hunger urges him to work. A wicked scoundrel digs up evil, and his slander is like a scorching fire. A perverse person spreads dissension, and a gossip separates the closest friends. A violent person entices his neighbor, and leads him down a path that is terrible. The one who winks his eyes devises perverse things, and one who compresses his lips brings about evil. Gray hair is like a crown of glory; it is attained in the path of righteousness. Better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior, and one who controls his temper is better than one who captures a city. The dice are thrown into the lap, but their every decision is from the LORD.