Proverbs 16:1

AMP: The plans and reflections of the heart belong to man,But the [wise] answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

ASV: The plans of the heart belong to man; But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.

BSB: The plans of the heart belong to man,but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.

DARBY: The purposes of the heart are of man, but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.

DRA: It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to govern the tongue.

KJV: The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

Proverbs 16:2

AMP: All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions],But the Lord weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth]. [1 Sam 16:7; Heb 4:12]

ASV: All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the spirits.

BSB: All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes,but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

DARBY: All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the spirits.

DRA: All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of spirits.

KJV: All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

Proverbs 16:3

AMP: Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him],And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].

ASV: Commit thy works unto Jehovah, And thy purposes shall be established.

BSB: Commit your works to the LORDand your plans will be achieved.

DARBY: Commit thy works unto Jehovah, and thy thoughts shall be established.

DRA: Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed.

KJV: Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Proverbs 16:4

AMP: The Lord has made everything for its own purpose,Even the wicked [according to their role] for the day of evil.

ASV: Jehovah hath made everything for its own end; Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

BSB: The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster.

DARBY: Jehovah hath wrought everything on his own account, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

DRA: The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day.

KJV: The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

Proverbs 16:5

AMP: Everyone who is proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting and exceedingly offensive to the Lord;Be assured he will not go unpunished. [Prov 8:13; 11:20, 21]

ASV: Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah: [Though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

BSB: Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD;be assured that he will not go unpunished.

DARBY: Every proud heart is an abomination to Jehovah: hand for hand, he shall not be held innocent.

DRA: Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice; and this is more acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices.

KJV: Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

Proverbs 16:6

AMP: By mercy and lovingkindness and truth [not superficial ritual] wickedness is cleansed from the heart,And by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.

ASV: By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for; And by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil.

BSB: By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.

DARBY: By loving-kindness and truth iniquity is atoned for; and by the fear of Jehovah [men] depart from evil.

DRA: By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

KJV: By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

Proverbs 16:7

AMP: When a man’s ways please the Lord,He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

ASV: When a man`s ways please Jehovah, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

BSB: When a man’s ways please the LORD,He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

DARBY: When a man's ways please Jehovah, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

DRA: When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.

KJV: When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Proverbs 16:8

AMP: Better is a little with righteousnessThan great income [gained] with injustice. [Ps 37:16; Prov 15:16]

ASV: Better is a little, with righteousness, Than great revenues with injustice.

BSB: Better a little with righteousnessthan great gain with injustice.

DARBY: Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right.

DRA: Better is a little with justice, than great revenues with iniquity.

KJV: Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

Proverbs 16:9

AMP: A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life],But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them. [Ps 37:23; Prov 20:24; Jer 10:23]

ASV: A man`s heart deviseth his way; But Jehovah directeth his steps.

BSB: A man’s heart plans his course,but the LORD determines his steps.

DARBY: The heart of man deviseth his way, but Jehovah directeth his steps.

DRA: The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps.

KJV: A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

Proverbs 16:10

AMP: A divine decision [given by God] is on the lips of the king [as His representative];His mouth should not be unfaithful or unjust in judgment. [Deut 17:18-20; 2 Sam 14:17-20; 1 Kin 3:9-12; Is 11:2]

ASV: A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; His mouth shall not transgress in judgment.

BSB: A divine verdict is on the lips of a king;his mouth must not betray justice.

DARBY: An oracle is on the lips of the king: his mouth will not err in judgment.

DRA: Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.

KJV: A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

Proverbs 16:11

AMP: A just balance and [honest] scales are the Lord’s;All the weights of the bag are His concern [established by His eternal principles].

ASV: A just balance and scales are Jehovah`s; All the weights of the bag are his work.

BSB: Honest scales and balances are from the LORD;all the weights in the bag are His concern.

DARBY: The just balance and scales are Jehovah's; all the weights of the bag are his work.

DRA: Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all the weights of the bag.

KJV: A just weight and balance are the LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are his work.

Proverbs 16:12

AMP: It is repulsive [to God and man] for kings to behave wickedly,For a throne is established on righteousness (right standing with God).

ASV: It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; For the throne is established by righteousness.

BSB: Wicked behavior is detestable for kings,for a throne is established through righteousness.

DARBY: It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for the throne is established by righteousness.

DRA: They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established by justice.

KJV: It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

Proverbs 16:13

AMP: Righteous lips are the delight of kings,And he who speaks right is loved.

ASV: Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right.

BSB: Righteous lips are a king’s delight,and he who speaks honestly is beloved.

DARBY: Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him that speaketh aright.

DRA: Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right things shall be loved.

KJV: Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

Proverbs 16:14

AMP: The wrath of a king is like a messenger of death,But a wise man will appease it.

ASV: The wrath of a king is [as] messengers of death; But a wise man will pacify it.

BSB: The wrath of a king is a messenger of death,but a wise man will pacify it.

DARBY: The fury of a king is [as] messengers of death; but a wise man will pacify it.

DRA: The wrath of a king is as messengers of death : and the wise man will pacify it.

KJV: The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

Proverbs 16:15

AMP: In the light of the king’s face is life,And his favor is like a cloud bringing the spring rain.

ASV: In the light of the king`s countenance is life; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.

BSB: When a king’s face brightens, there is life;his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

DARBY: In the light of the king's countenance is life, and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

DRA: In the cheerfulness of the king's countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain.

KJV: In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

Proverbs 16:16

AMP: How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. [Prov 8:10, 19]

ASV: How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.

BSB: How much better to acquire wisdom than gold!To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

DARBY: How much better is it to get wisdom than fine gold, and the getting of intelligence to be preferred to silver!

DRA: Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver.

KJV: How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

Proverbs 16:17

AMP: The highway of the upright turns away and departs from evil;He who guards his way protects his life (soul).

ASV: The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

BSB: The highway of the upright leads away from evil;he who guards his way protects his life.

DARBY: The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that taketh heed to his way keepeth his soul.

DRA: The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his way.

KJV: The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

Proverbs 16:18

AMP: Pride goes before destruction,And a haughty spirit before a fall.

ASV: Pride [goeth] before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

BSB: Pride goes before destruction,and a haughty spirit before a fall.

DARBY: Pride [goeth] before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

DRA: Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.

KJV: Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:19

AMP: It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowlyThan to divide the spoil with the proud (haughty, arrogant).

ASV: Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

BSB: It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humblethan to divide the spoil with the proud.

DARBY: Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the meek, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

DRA: It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.

KJV: Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Proverbs 16:20

AMP: He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good,And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the Lord.

ASV: He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good; And whoso trusteth in Jehovah, happy is he.

BSB: Whoever heeds instruction will find success,and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

DARBY: He that giveth heed to the word shall find good; and whoso confideth in Jehovah, happy is he.

DRA: The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is blessed.

KJV: He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

Proverbs 16:21

AMP: The wise in heart will be called understanding,And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener].

ASV: The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

BSB: The wise in heart are called discerning,and pleasant speech promotes instruction.

DARBY: The wise in heart is called intelligent, and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

DRA: The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words shall attain to greater things.

KJV: The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

Proverbs 16:22

AMP: Understanding (spiritual insight) is a [refreshing and boundless] wellspring of life to those who have it,But to give instruction and correction to fools is foolishness.

ASV: Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is [their] folly.

BSB: Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor,but the discipline of fools is folly.

DARBY: Wisdom is a fountain of life for him that hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly.

DRA: Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness.

KJV: Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

Proverbs 16:23

AMP: The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom]And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

ASV: The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.

BSB: The heart of the wise man instructs his mouthand adds persuasiveness to his lips.

DARBY: The heart of the wise maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips increaseth learning.

DRA: The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.

KJV: The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

Proverbs 16:24

AMP: Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.

ASV: Pleasant words are [as] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

BSB: Pleasant words are a honeycomb,sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

DARBY: Pleasant words are [as] a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health for the bones.

DRA: Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

KJV: Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Proverbs 16:25

AMP: There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,But its end is the way of death.

ASV: There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.

BSB: There is a way that seems right to a man,but its end is the way of death.

DARBY: There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death.

DRA: There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death.

KJV: There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 16:26

AMP: The appetite of a worker works for him,For his hunger urges him on.

ASV: The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him [thereto].

BSB: A worker’s appetite works for himbecause his hunger drives him onward.

DARBY: The appetite of the labourer laboureth for him, for his mouth urgeth him on.

DRA: The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it.

KJV: He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

Proverbs 16:27

AMP: A worthless man devises and digs up evil,And the words on his lips are like a scorching fire.

ASV: A worthless man deviseth mischief; And in his lips there is as a scorching fire.

BSB: A worthless man digs up evil,and his speech is like a scorching fire.

DARBY: A man of Belial diggeth up evil, and on his lips there is as a scorching fire.

DRA: The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.

KJV: An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

Proverbs 16:28

AMP: A perverse man spreads strife,And one who gossips separates intimate friends. [Prov 17:9]

ASV: A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.

BSB: A perverse man spreads dissension,and a gossip divides close friends.

DARBY: A false man soweth contention; and a talebearer separateth very friends.

DRA: A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes.

KJV: A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

Proverbs 16:29

AMP: A violent and exceedingly covetous man entices his neighbor [to sin],And leads him in a way that is not good.

ASV: A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him in a way that is not good.

BSB: A violent man entices his neighborand leads him down a path that is not good.

DARBY: A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into a way that is not good.

DRA: An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way that is not good

KJV: A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

Proverbs 16:30

AMP: He who [slyly] winks his eyes does so to plot perverse things;And he who compresses his lips [as if in a secret signal] brings evil to pass.

ASV: He that shutteth his eyes, [it is] to devise perverse things: He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.

BSB: He who winks his eye devises perversity;he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

DARBY: He that shutteth his eyes, [it is] to devise froward things; biting his lips, he bringeth evil to pass.

DRA: He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth: evil to pass.

KJV: He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

Proverbs 16:31

AMP: The silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory;It is found in the way of righteousness. [Prov 20:29]

ASV: The hoary head is a crown of glory; It shall be found in the way of righteousness.

BSB: Gray hair is a crown of glory;it is attained along the path of righteousness.

DARBY: The hoary head is a crown of glory, [if] it is found in the way of righteousness.

DRA: Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.

KJV: The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

Proverbs 16:32

AMP: He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty [soldier],And he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city.

ASV: He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.

BSB: He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior,and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

DARBY: He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

DRA: The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities.

KJV: He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Proverbs 16:33

AMP: The lot is cast into the lap,But its every decision is from the Lord.

ASV: The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole disposing thereof is of Jehovah.

BSB: The lot is cast into the lap,but its every decision is from the LORD.

DARBY: The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole decision is of Jehovah.

DRA: Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.

KJV: The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

Proverbs 16

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