Proverbs 16:1-13 - Compare All Versions

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To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. The LORD works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster. The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided. When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them. Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice. Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making. Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil. When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment. A just balance and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work. It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.

We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer. People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives. Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster. The LORD detests the proud; they will surely be punished. Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil. When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them. Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly. The LORD demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness. A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice. The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly.

The reflections of the heart belong to mankind, but the answer of the tongue is from the  LORD.  All a person’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs motives.  , Commit your activities to the  LORD, and your plans will be established.  The LORD has prepared everything for his purpose — even the wicked for the day of disaster.  Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the  LORD;  be assured,  he will not go unpunished.  Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,  and one turns from evil by the fear of the  LORD.  When a person’s ways please the  LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.  Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.  A person’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.  God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;  , his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.  Honest balances and scales are the  LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his concern.  Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,  since a throne is established through righteousness.  Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly.

The preparations of the heart in man, And the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the spirits. Commit thy works unto the LORD, And thy thoughts shall be established. The LORD hath made all things for himself: Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: Though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: And by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. When a man's ways please the LORD, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness Than great revenues without right. A man's heart deviseth his way: But the LORD directeth his steps. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: His mouth transgresseth not in judgment. A just weight and balance are the LORD's: All the weights of the bag are his work. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: For the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right.

The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established. The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom. Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished. In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil. When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice. A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. Divination is on the lips of the king; His mouth must not transgress in judgment. Honest weights and scales are the LORD’s; All the weights in the bag are His work. It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right.

Mortals make elaborate plans, but GOD has the last word. Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; GOD probes for what is good. Put GOD in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place. GOD made everything with a place and purpose; even the wicked are included—but for judgment. GOD can’t stomach arrogance or pretense; believe me, he’ll put those braggarts in their place. Guilt is banished through love and truth; Fear-of-GOD deflects evil. When GOD approves of your life, even your enemies will end up shaking your hand. Far better to be right and poor than to be wrong and rich. We plan the way we want to live, but only GOD makes us able to live it. A good leader motivates, doesn’t mislead, doesn’t exploit. GOD cares about honesty in the workplace; your business is his business. Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds; sound leadership has a moral foundation. Good leaders cultivate honest speech; they love advisors who tell them the truth.

The plans of the heart belong to a person, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a person are clean in his own sight, But the LORD examines the motives. Commit your works to the LORD, And your plans will be established. The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil. Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Be assured, he will not go unpunished. By mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil. When a person’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, He causes even his enemies to make peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice. The mind of a person plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. A divine verdict is on the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment. A just balance and scales belong to the LORD; All the weights of the bag are His concern. It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, Because a throne is established on righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And one who speaks right is loved.

The plans and reflections of the heart belong to man, But the [wise] answer of the tongue is from the LORD. 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] 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]. The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked [according to their role] for the day of evil. 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] 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. When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness Than great income [gained] with injustice. [Ps 37:16; Prov 15:16] 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] 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] A just balance and [honest] scales are the LORD’S; All the weights of the bag are His concern [established by His eternal principles]. It is repulsive [to God and man] for kings to behave wickedly, For a throne is established on righteousness (right standing with God). Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And he who speaks right is loved.

The intentions of the heart belong to a man, but the answer of the tongue comes from the LORD. All a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives. Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established. The LORD works everything for its own ends – even the wicked for the day of disaster. The LORD abhors every arrogant person; rest assured that they will not go unpunished. Through loyal love and truth iniquity is appeased; through fearing the LORD one avoids evil. When a person’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he even reconciles his enemies to himself. Better to have a little with righteousness than to have abundant income without justice. A person plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps. The divine verdict is in the words of the king, his pronouncements must not act treacherously against justice. Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are his handiwork. Doing wickedness is an abomination to kings, because a throne is established in righteousness. The delight of kings is righteous counsel, and they love the one who speaks uprightly.