Proverbs 16
Holman Christian Standard Bible  Par ▾ 

1The reflections of the heart belong to man,

but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.a

2All a man’s ways seem right to him,

but the LORD evaluates the motives.b, c

3Commit your activities to the LORD,

and your plans will be achieved.d

4The LORD has prepared everything for His purpose —

even the wicked for the day of disaster.e

5Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the LORD;f

be assured,g he will not go unpunished.h

6Wickedness is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,i

and one turns from evil by the fear of the LORD.j

7When a man’s ways please the LORD,

Hek makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.l

8Better a little with righteousness

than great income with injustice.m

9A man’s heart plans his way,

but the LORD determines his steps.n

10God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;o, p

his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.q

11Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s;

all the weights in the bagr are His concern.s

12Wicked behaviort is detestable to kings,u

since a throne is established through righteousness.v

13Righteous lips are a king’s delight,

and he loves one who speaks honestly.

14A king’s fury is a messenger of death,

but a wise man appeases it.w

15When a king’s face lights up, there is life;

his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

16Get wisdom —

how much better it is than gold!

And get understanding —

it is preferable to silver.x

17The highway of the uprighty avoids evil;

the one who guards his way protects his life.z

18Pride comes before destruction,

and an arrogant spirit before a fall.aa

19Better to be lowly of spirit with the humbleab, ac

than to divide plunder with the

20The one who understands a matter finds success,ae

and the one who trusts in the LORD will be

21Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,

and pleasant speechag increases learning.ah

22Insight is a fountain of lifeai for its possessor,

but the discipline of fools is folly.

23A wise heart instructs its mouth

and increases learning with its speech.aj, ak

24Pleasant words are a honeycomb:al

sweet to the tasteam and health to the, ao

25There is a way that seems right to a man,

but its end is the way to death.ap

26A worker’s appetite works for him

because his hungeraq urges him on.

27A worthless man digs up evil,

and his speech is like a scorching

28A contrary man spreads conflict,

and a gossip separates close

29A violent man lures his neighbor,at

leading him in a way that is not

30The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;

the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.av

31Gray hair is a glorious crown;aw

it is found in the way of

32Patience is better than power,

and controlling one’s temper,ay than capturing a

33The lot is cast into the lap,

but its every decision is from the

a. 16:1 Pr 16:9; 19:21
b. 16:2 Lit weighs spirits
c. 16:2 1Sm 16:7; Pr 17:3; 19:21; 21:2
d. 16:3 Ps 37:4-5
e. 16:4 Ex 9:16; Rm 9:21-22
f. 16:5 2Ch 32:25; Pr 6:16-17; 8:13
g. 16:5 Lit hand to hand
h. 16:5 Ps 101:5; Pr 11:21; 16:18
i. 16:6 Dn 4:27; Lk 11:41
j. 16:6 Jb 28:28; Pr 3:7; 14:16
k. 16:7 Or he
l. 16:7 2Ch 17:10
m. 16:8 Ps 37:16; Pr 15:16-17; 16:19; 28:6
n. 16:9 Ps 37:23; Pr 16:1; 19:21; 20:24; Jr 10:23
o. 16:10 Or A divination is on the lips of a king
p. 16:10 2Sm 14:17,20; 1Kg 3:28
q. 16:10 2Sm 23:2-3; Pr 18:14-15
r. 16:11 Merchants kept the stones for their scales in a bag.
s. 16:11 Lv 19:36; Pr 11:1; Ezk 45:10; Mc 6:11
t. 16:12 Either the king’s or someone else’s behavior
u. 16:12 Pr 31:3-5
v. 16:12 Ps 101; Pr 25:5
w. 16:14 Ec 10:4
x. 16:16 Pr 3:14; 8:10,19; 22:1
y. 16:17 Is 35:8
z. 16:17 Pr 2:11-13; 15:19
aa. 16:18 Pr 11:2; 16:5; 18:12; 29:23; Dn 4:37; Ob 3-4
ab. 16:19 Alt Hb tradition reads afflicted
ac. 16:19 Pr 29:23; Is 57:15
ad. 16:19 Ex 15:9; Ps 37:16; Pr 1:13-14; 15:16-17; 16:8
ae. 16:20 Pr 19:8
af. 16:20 Ps 2:12; 34:8; 40:4; 84:12; 146:5; Jr 17:7
ag. 16:21 Lit and sweetness of lips
ah. 16:21 Pr 1:5; 9:9; 16:23
ai. 16:22 Pr 10:11; 13:14; 14:27
aj. 16:23 Lit learning upon his lips
ak. 16:23 Ps 37:30; Pr 1:5; 9:9; Mt 12:34
al. 16:24 Ps 19:10; Pr 15:26
am. 16:24 Lit throat
an. 16:24 Lit bones
ao. 16:24 Pr 4:22; 15:30; 25:13
ap. 16:25 Pr 14:12; 24:20
aq. 16:26 Lit mouth
ar. 16:27 Pr 6:12; 19:28; 26:23; Jms 3:6
as. 16:28 Pr 6:14,19; 17:9; 26:20-21; 28:25
at. 16:29 Pr 1:10
au. 16:29 1Sm 12:23; Ps 36:4; Pr 28:10
av. 16:30 Ps 35:19; Pr 6:12-14; 10:10
aw. 16:31 Lv 19:32; Pr 4:9; 20:29
ax. 16:31 Pr 3:1-2
ay. 16:32 Lit and ruling over one’s spirit
az. 16:32 Pr 25:15,28; 29:11
ba. 16:33 Pr 16:1; 19:21; 21:31
Proverbs 15
Top of Page
Top of Page