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 for the day of trouble.
5 All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the Lord;
be assured, they will not go unpunished.
6 By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.
7 When the ways of people please the Lord,
he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.
8 Better is a little with righteousness
than large income with injustice.
9 The human mind plans the way,
but the Lord directs the steps.
10 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgement.
11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves those who speak what is right.
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
and whoever is wise will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face there is life,
and his favour is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
those who guard their way preserve their lives.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper,
and happy are those who trust in the Lord.
21 The wise of heart is called perceptive,
and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it,
but folly is the punishment of fools.
23 The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious,
and adds persuasiveness to their lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
25 Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right,
but in the end it is the way to death.
26 The appetite of workers works for them;
their hunger urges them on.
27 Scoundrels concoct evil,
and their speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A perverse person spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.
29 The violent entice their neighbours,
and lead them in a way that is not good.
30 One who winks the eyes plans[a] perverse things;
one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.
31 Grey hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but the decision is the Lord’s alone.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:30 Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb to plan

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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 Century Version (NCV)

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