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Proverbs 16 :: New American Standard Bible 2020 (NASB20)

Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked

Pro 16:1

The plans of the heart belong to a person,

But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

Pro 16:2

All the ways of a person are clean in his own sight,

But the LORD examines the [fn]motives.

Pro 16:3

[fn]Commit your works to the LORD,

And your plans will be established.

Pro 16:4

The LORD has made everything for [fn]its own purpose,

Even the wicked for the day of evil.

Pro 16:5

Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;

[fn]Be assured, he will not go unpunished.

Pro 16:6

By mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing,

And by [fn]the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.

Pro 16:7

When a person’s ways are pleasing to the LORD,

He causes even his enemies to make peace with him.

Pro 16:8

Better is a little with righteousness

Than great income with injustice.

Pro 16:9

The mind of a person plans his way,

But the LORD directs his steps.

Pro 16:10

A divine verdict is on the lips of the king;

His mouth should not [fn]err in judgment.

Pro 16:11

A just balance and scales belong to the LORD;

All the [fn]weights of the bag are His [fn]concern.

Pro 16:12

It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts,

Because a throne is established on righteousness.

Pro 16:13

Righteous lips are the delight of kings,

And one who speaks right is loved.

Pro 16:14

The fury of a king is like messengers of death;

But a wise person will appease it.

Pro 16:15

In the light of a king’s face is life,

And his favor is like a cloud with the [fn]spring rain.

Pro 16:16

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!

And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

Pro 16:17

The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil;

One who watches his way protects his [fn]life.

Pro 16:18

Pride goes before destruction,

And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

Pro 16:19

It is better to be humble in spirit with the needy

Than to divide the spoils with the proud.

Pro 16:20

One who pays attention to the word will find good,

And blessed is one who trusts in the LORD.

Pro 16:21

The wise in heart will be called understanding,

And sweetness of [fn]speech increases [fn]persuasiveness.

Pro 16:22

Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it,

But the discipline of fools is foolishness.

Pro 16:23

The heart of the wise instructs his mouth

And adds [fn]persuasiveness to his lips.

Pro 16:24

Pleasant words are a honeycomb,

Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Pro 16:25

There is a way which seems right to a person,

But its end is the way of death.

Pro 16:26

A worker’s appetite works for him,

For his [fn]hunger urges him on.

Pro 16:27

A worthless person digs up evil,

While [fn]his words are like scorching fire.

Pro 16:28

A perverse person spreads strife,

And a [fn]slanderer separates close friends.

Pro 16:29

A person of violence entices his neighbor

And leads him in a way that is not good.

Pro 16:30

He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things;

He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

Pro 16:31

A gray head is a crown of glory;

It is found in the way of righteousness.

Pro 16:32

One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city.

Pro 16:33

The lot is cast into the lap,

But its every decision is from the LORD.

NASB20 Footnotes
Lit spirits
Lit Roll
Or His
Lit Hand to hand, he
Or reverence for
Lit be unfaithful
Lit stones
Lit work
Lit latter
Lit soul
Lit lips
Or learning
Or learning
Lit mouth
Lit on his lips
Or gossip
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New American Standard Bible 2020
Copyright (c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020
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Proverbs Chapter 16 — Additional Translations: