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The Blue Letter Bible

Proverbs 16 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

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Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:1 - The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:2 - All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the LORD weighs the spirit.[fn]
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:3 - Commit your work to the LORD,
and your plans will be established.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:4 - The LORD has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:5 - Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:6 - By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:7 - When a man’s ways please the LORD,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:8 - Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:9 - The heart of man plans his way,
but the LORD establishes his steps.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:10 - An oracle is on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgment.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:11 - A just balance and scales are the LORD’s;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:12 - It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for the throne is established by righteousness.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:13 - Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:14 - A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will appease it.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:15 - In the light of a king’s face there is life,
and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:16 - How much better to get wisdom than gold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:17 - The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;
whoever guards his way preserves his life.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:19 - It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:20 - Whoever gives thought to the word[fn] will discover good,
and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:21 - The wise of heart is called discerning,
and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:22 - Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,
but the instruction of fools is folly.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:23 - The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:24 - Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:25 - There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.[fn]
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:26 - A worker’s appetite works for him;
his mouth urges him on.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:27 - A worthless man plots evil,
and his speech[fn] is like a scorching fire.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:28 - A dishonest man spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:29 - A man of violence entices his neighbor
and leads him in a way that is not good.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:30 - Whoever winks his eyes plans[fn] dishonest things;
he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:31 - Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:32 - Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 16:33 - The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the LORD.
ESV Footnotes
Or spirits
Or to a matter
Hebrew ways of death
Hebrew what is on his lips
Hebrew to plan
ESV

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

See detailed copyright information.

For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.

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Proverbs Chapter 16 — Additional Translations: