16 The reflections of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.(A)
2 All a man’s ways seem right to him,
but the Lord evaluates the motives.(B)
3 Commit your activities to the Lord,
and your plans will be achieved.(C)
4 The Lord has prepared everything for His purpose—
even the wicked for the day of disaster.(D)
5 Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord;(E)
be assured, he will not go unpunished.(F)
6 Wickedness is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,(G)
and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.(H)
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.(I)
8 Better a little with righteousness
than great income with injustice.(J)
9 A man’s heart plans his way,
but the Lord determines his steps.(K)
10 God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;(L)
his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.(M)
11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag are His concern.(N)
12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,(O)
since a throne is established through righteousness.(P)
13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight,
and he loves one who speaks honestly.
14 A king’s fury is a messenger of death,
but a wise man appeases it.(Q)
15 When a king’s face lights up, there is life;
his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.
16 Get wisdom—
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding—
it is preferable to silver.(R)
17 The highway of the upright(S) avoids evil;
the one who guards his way protects his life.(T)
18 Pride comes before destruction,
and an arrogant spirit before a fall.(U)
19 Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble(V)
than to divide plunder with the proud.(W)
20 The one who understands a matter finds success,(X)
and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.(Y)
21 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,
and pleasant speech increases learning.(Z)
22 Insight is a fountain of life(AA) for its possessor,
but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 A wise heart instructs its mouth
and increases learning with its speech.(AB)
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb:(AC)
sweet to the taste and health to the body.(AD)
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.(AE)
26 A worker’s appetite works for him
because his hunger urges him on.
27 A worthless man digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.(AF)
28 A contrary man spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.(AG)
29 A violent man lures his neighbor,(AH)
leading him in a way that is not good.(AI)
30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;
the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.(AJ)
31 Gray hair is a glorious crown;(AK)
it is found in the way of righteousness.(AL)
32 Patience is better than power,
and controlling one’s temper, than capturing a city.(AM)
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.(AN)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:2
- Proverbs 16:5
- Proverbs 16:7
- Proverbs 16:10
- Proverbs 16:11
- Proverbs 16:12
- Proverbs 16:19
- Proverbs 16:21
- Proverbs 16:23
- Proverbs 16:24
- Proverbs 16:24
- Proverbs 16:26
- Proverbs 16:32
Cross references
- 16:1 : Pr 16:9; 19:21
- 16:2 : 1Sm 16:7; Pr 17:3; 19:21; 21:2
- 16:3 : Ps 37:4-5
- 16:4 : Ex 9:16; Rm 9:21-22
- 16:5 : 2Ch 32:25; Pr 6:16-17; 8:13
- 16:5 : Ps 101:5; Pr 11:21; 16:18
- 16:6 : Dn 4:27; Lk 11:41
- 16:6 : Jb 28:28; Pr 3:7; 14:16
- 16:7 : 2Ch 17:10
- 16:8 : Ps 37:16; Pr 15:16-17; 16:19; 28:6
- 16:9 : Ps 37:23; Pr 16:1; 19:21; 20:24; Jr 10:23
- 16:10 : 2Sm 14:17, 20; 1Kg 3:28
- 16:10 : 2Sm 23:2-3; Pr 18:14-15
- 16:11 : Lv 19:36; Pr 11:1; Ezk 45:10; Mc 6:11
- 16:12 : Pr 31:3-5
- 16:12 : Ps 101; Pr 25:5
- 16:14 : Ec 10:4
- 16:16 : Pr 3:14; 8:10, 19; 22:1
- 16:17 : Is 35:8
- 16:17 : Pr 2:11-13; 15:19
- 16:18 : Pr 11:2; 16:5; 18:12; 29:23; Dn 4:37; Ob 3-4
- 16:19 : Pr 29:23; Is 57:15
- 16:19 : Ex 15:9; Ps 37:16; Pr 1:13-14; 15:16-17; 16:8
- 16:20 : Pr 19:8
- 16:20 : Ps 2:12; 34:8; 40:4; 84:12; 146:5; Jr 17:7
- 16:21 : Pr 1:5; 9:9; 16:23
- 16:22 : Pr 10:11; 13:14; 14:27
- 16:23 : Ps 37:30; Pr 1:5; 9:9; Mt 12:34
- 16:24 : Ps 19:10; Pr 15:26
- 16:24 : Pr 4:22; 15:30; 25:13
- 16:25 : Pr 14:12; 24:20
- 16:27 : Pr 6:12; 19:28; 26:23; Jms 3:6
- 16:28 : Pr 6:14, 19; 17:9; 26:20-21; 28:25
- 16:29 : Pr 1:10
- 16:29 : 1Sm 12:23; Ps 36:4; Pr 28:10
- 16:30 : Ps 35:19; Pr 6:12-14; 10:10
- 16:31 : Lv 19:32; Pr 4:9; 20:29
- 16:31 : Pr 3:1-2
- 16:32 : Pr 25:15, 28; 29:11
- 16:33 : Pr 16:1; 19:21; 21:31
