Proverbs Chapter 16 to 17 : English Standard Version   | SearchSearch | Next Version | Previous Page | Next Page |

Other Versions16  16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. 2All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. 3Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. 4The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. 5Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. 6By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. 7When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. 9The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. 10An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment. 11A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his work. 12It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness. 13Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right. 14A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it. 15In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain. 16How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. 17The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. 18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20Whoever gives thought to the word[1] will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. 21The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. 22Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. 23The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. 24Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. 25There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.[2] 26A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on. 27A worthless man plots evil, and his speech[3] is like a scorching fire. 28A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. 29A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. 30Whoever winks his eyes plans[4] dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass. 31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. 32Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. 33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

[1] Or to a matter  [2] Hebrew ways of death  [3] Hebrew what is on his lips  [4] Hebrew to plan


17 17:1 Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting[5] with strife. 2A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. 3The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts. 4An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue. 5Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. 6Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. 7Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince. 8A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers. 9Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. 10A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool. 11An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him. 12Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs rather than a fool in his folly. 13If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house. 14The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out. 15He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord. 16Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense? 17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 18One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor. 19Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction. 20A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity. 21He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy. 22A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. 23The wicked accepts a bribe in secret[6] to pervert the ways of justice. 24The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. 25A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him. 26To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness. 27Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. 28Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

[5] Hebrew sacrifices  [6] Hebrew a bribe from the bosom

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