Proverbs 16 - Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

16 The plans of the mind and orderly thinking belong to man, but from the Lord comes the [wise] answer of the tongue.

2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart).(A)

3 Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.

4 The Lord has made everything [to accommodate itself and contribute] to its own end and His own purpose—even the wicked [are fitted for their role] for the day of calamity and evil.

5 Everyone proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting, hateful, and exceedingly offensive to the Lord; be assured [I pledge it] they will not go unpunished.(B)

6 By mercy and love, truth and fidelity [to God and man—not by sacrificial offerings], iniquity is purged out of the heart, and by the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord men depart from and avoid evil.

7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness (uprightness in every area and relation and right standing with God) than great revenues with injustice.(C)

9 A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.(D)

10 Divinely directed decisions are on the lips of the king; his mouth should not transgress in judgment.

11 A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights of the bag are His work [established on His eternal principles].

12 It is an abomination [to God and men] for kings to commit wickedness, for a throne is established and made secure by righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).

13 Right and just lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.

14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

15 In the light of the king’s countenance is life, and his favor is as a cloud bringing the spring rain.

16 How much better it is to get skillful and godly Wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.(E)

17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; he who guards his way preserves his life.

18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the meek and poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20 He who deals wisely and heeds [God’s] word and counsel shall find good, and whoever leans on, trusts in, and is confident in the Lord—happy, blessed, and fortunate is he.

21 The wise in heart are called prudent, understanding, and knowing, and winsome speech increases learning [in both speaker and listener].

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to those who have it, but to give instruction to fools is folly.

23 The mind of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning and persuasiveness to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.

26 The appetite of the laborer works for him, for [the need of] his mouth urges him on.

27 A worthless man devises and digs up mischief, and in his lips there is as a scorching fire.

28 A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.(F)

29 The exceedingly grasping, covetous, and violent man entices his neighbor, leading him in a way that is not good.

30 He who shuts his eyes to devise perverse things and who compresses his lips [as if in concealment] brings evil to pass.

31 The hoary head is a crown of beauty and glory if it is found in the way of righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).(G)

32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, he who rules his [own] spirit than he who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly of the Lord [even the events that seem accidental are really ordered by Him].

Cross references

  1. Proverbs 16:2 : I Sam. 16:7; Heb. 4:12.
  2. Proverbs 16:5 : Prov. 8:13; 11:20-21.
  3. Proverbs 16:8 : Ps. 37:16; Prov. 15:16.
  4. Proverbs 16:9 : Ps. 37:23; Prov. 20:24; Jer. 10:23.
  5. Proverbs 16:16 : Prov. 8:10, 19.
  6. Proverbs 16:28 : Prov. 17:9.
  7. Proverbs 16:31 : Prov. 20:29.

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Proverbs 16 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

16 Of man [are] arrangements of the heart, And from Jehovah an answer of the tongue. 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering the spirits. 3 Roll unto Jehovah thy works, And established are thy purposes, 4 All things hath Jehovah wrought for Himself, And also the wi...
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Proverbs 16 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

16 It pertaineth to man to make ready the soul; and it pertaineth to the Lord to govern the tongue. (Each person must prepare their own soul, or their own life; but it is God who governeth their tongue, or telleth them what to say.) 2 All the ways of men be open to the eyes of God (All the ways of p...
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Proverbs 16 - World English Bible (WEB)

16 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...
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Proverbs 16 - The Voice (VOICE)

16 People go about making their plans, but the Eternal has the final word.2 Even when you think you have good intentions, He knows your real motives.3 Whatever you do, do it as service to Him, and He will guarantee your success.4 The Eternal made everything for a reason. Even wrongdoers fit in His p...
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Proverbs 16 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Commit Your Heart to Adonai16 The plans of the heart belong to man,but the tongue’s answer is from Adonai.2 All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes,but Adonai weighs the motives.3 Commit whatever you do to Adonai,and your plans will succeed.4 Adonai works everything out for his own purpose—even th...
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Proverbs 16 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

16 The plans of the mind belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked fo...
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Proverbs 16 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

16 The plans of the mind belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked fo...
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Proverbs 16 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

16 The plans of the mind belong to mortals, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.2 All one’s ways may be pure in one’s own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked ...
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Proverbs 16 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

16 The plans of the mind belong to mortals, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.2 All one’s ways may be pure in one’s own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.(A)3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.(B)4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the w...
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Proverbs 16 - New Living Translation (NLT)

16 We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. 2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. 3 Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. 4 The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster. ...
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Proverbs 16 - New Life Version (NLV)

16 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the thoughts of the heart. 3 Trust your work to the Lord, and your plans will work out well. 4 The Lord has made all things for His own plans,...
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Proverbs 16 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Wisdom Is Better Than Gold16 The (A)preparations[a] of the heart belong to man,(B)But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own (C)eyes,But the Lord weighs the spirits. 3 (D)Commit[b] your works to the Lord,And your thoughts will be established. 4 The (E)...
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Proverbs 16 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

16 To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. 2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. 4 The Lord works out everything to its proper end...
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Proverbs 16 - New International Version (NIV)

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Proverbs 16 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

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Proverbs 16 - New Century Version (NCV)

16 People may make plans in their minds, but only the Lord can make them come true. 2 You may believe you are doing right, but the Lord will judge your reasons. 3 Depend on the Lord in whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. 4 The Lord makes everything go as he pleases. He has even prepared a ...
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