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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Proverbs 16 ISV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/proverbs/16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/proverbs/16-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > Proverbs 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../proverbs/15.htm" title="Proverbs 15">◄</a> Proverbs 16 <a href="../proverbs/17.htm" title="Proverbs 17">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/proverbs/16.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">Wisdom’s Blessings</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>People do the planning,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:1 Lit. Preparations of the heart belong to human beings">a</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">but the end result<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:1 Or the response of the tongue">b</a></span> is from the LORD.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>Everything a person does seems pure in his own opinion,</p> <p class="poetry2">but the LORD weighs intentions.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>Entrust your work to the LORD,</p> <p class="poetry2">and your planning will succeed.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>The LORD made everything answerable to him,</p> <p class="poetry2">including the wicked at the time of trouble.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:4 Lit. evil">c</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>The LORD detests those who are proud;</p> <p class="poetry2">truly they will not go unpunished.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Iniquity is atoned for by gracious love and truth,</p> <p class="poetry2">and through fear of the LORD people<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:6 The Heb. lacks people">d</a></span> turn from evil.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>When a person’s ways please the LORD,</p> <p class="poetry2">even his enemies will be at peace with him.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>A little gain<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:8 The Heb. lacks gain">e</a></span> with righteousness is better</p> <p class="poetry2">than great income without justice.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>A person plans his way,</p> <p class="poetry2">but the LORD directs his steps.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>When a king is ready to speak officially,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:10 Lit. king speaks an oracle">f</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">what he says should not err with respect to justice.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>Honest scales and balances are from the LORD;</p> <p class="poetry2">he made all the weights in the bag.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>Kings detest wrongdoing,</p> <p class="poetry2">for through righteousness the throne is established.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Kings take pleasure in righteous speech;</p> <p class="poetry2">they treasure a person who speaks what is upright.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>The king’s wrath results in a death sentence,</p> <p class="poetry2">but whoever is wise will appease him.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>When a king is pleased,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:15 Lit. a king’s face lightens">g</a></span> there is life,</p> <p class="poetry2">and his favor is like a cloud that brings spring rain.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>How much better than gaining gold is the acquisition of wisdom,</p> <p class="poetry2">the attainment of wisdom better than silver!</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>The road of the upright circumvents evil,</p> <p class="poetry2">and whoever watches how he lives<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:17 Lit. watches his path">h</a></span> preserves his life.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>Pride precedes destruction;</p> <p class="poetry2">an arrogant spirit appears before a fall.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>Better to be humble among the poor,</p> <p class="poetry2">than to share what is stolen with the proud.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Whoever listens to a word of instruction prospers,</p> <p class="poetry2">and anyone who trusts in the LORD is blessed.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>The wise-hearted person is told to be discerning,</p> <p class="poetry2">and that pleasant speech promotes instruction.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Anyone who has understanding is a fountain of life,</p> <p class="poetry2">but foolishness brings punishment to fools.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>A wise person’s thoughts<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:23 Lit. heart">i</a></span> control his words,</p> <p class="poetry2">and his speech promotes instruction.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>Pleasant words are honey from a honeycomb—</p> <p class="poetry2">sweet to the soul and healing for the body.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:24 Lit. bone">j</a></span> </p> <p class="heading">Advice to the Wise</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>There is a road that seems right for a man to travel,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:25 The Heb. lacks to travel ">k</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">but in the end it’s the road to death.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>The appetite of the laborer motivates him;</p> <p class="poetry2">indeed, his hunger drives him on.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>A worthless person concocts evil gossip<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:27 The Heb. lacks gossip">l</a></span> —</p> <p class="poetry2">his lips are like a burning fire.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>A deceitful man stirs dissension,</p> <p class="poetry2">and anyone who gossips separates friends.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>A violent man entices his companion</p> <p class="poetry2">and leads him on a path that is not good.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>Whoever winks knowingly<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:30 Lit. with his eyes">m</a></span> is plotting<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:30 So MT; LXX Syr Targ Vg read winks with his eyes considers">n</a></span> deceit;</p> <p class="poetry2">anyone who purses his lips is bent towards evil.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>Gray hair is a crown of glory;</p> <p class="poetry2">it is obtained by following<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:31 The Heb. lacks following">o</a></span> a righteous path.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>Whoever controls his temper is better than a warrior,</p> <p class="poetry2">and anyone who has control of his spirit is better</p> <p class="poetry2">than someone who captures a city.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>The dice is cast into someone’s lap,</p> <p class="poetry2">but the outcome is from the LORD.</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 16:1 Lit. <i>Preparations of the heart belong to human beings</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 16:1 Or <i>the response of the tongue</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 16:4 Lit. <i>evil</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 16:6 The Heb. lacks <i>people</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 16:8 The Heb. lacks <i>gain</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 16:10 Lit. <i>king speaks an oracle</i><br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 16:15 Lit. <i>a king’s face lightens</i><br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 16:17 Lit. <i>watches his path</i><br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 16:23 Lit. <i>heart</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 16:24 Lit. <i>bone</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 16:25 The Heb. lacks <i>to travel </i><br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 16:27 The Heb. lacks <i>gossip</i><br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 16:30 Lit. <i>with his eyes</i><br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 16:30 So MT; LXX Syr Targ Vg read <i>winks with his eyes considers</i><br /><span class="fnb">o</span> 16:31 The Heb. lacks<i> following</i><br /></span><br><br><hr 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