{"meta":{"source":"Prime Bible","sourceUrl":"https://primebible.com","license":"Public domain (translation text); see citation policy at /citation-policy","organization":"501(c)(3) nonprofit — EIN 41-2531951","canonicalUrl":"https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/16","llmTxt":"https://primebible.com/llms.txt","generatedAt":"2026-05-30T20:58:48.916Z"},"reference":{"translation":"ERV","book":"Proverbs","bookSlug":"proverbs","chapter":16,"testament":"OLD"},"navigation":{"previousChapter":15,"nextChapter":17,"totalChapters":31,"totalVerses":33},"verses":[{"verseNumber":1,"text":"The preparations of the heart belong to man: but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD."},{"verseNumber":2,"text":"All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes: but the LORD weigheth the spirits."},{"verseNumber":3,"text":"Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established."},{"verseNumber":4,"text":"The LORD hath made every thing for its own end: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil."},{"verseNumber":5,"text":"Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished."},{"verseNumber":6,"text":"By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil."},{"verseNumber":7,"text":"When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him."},{"verseNumber":8,"text":"Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice."},{"verseNumber":9,"text":"A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps."},{"verseNumber":10,"text":"A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth shall not transgress in judgment."},{"verseNumber":11,"text":"A just balance and scales are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work."},{"verseNumber":12,"text":"It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness."},{"verseNumber":13,"text":"Righteous lips are the delight or kings; and they love him that speaketh right."},{"verseNumber":14,"text":"The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it."},{"verseNumber":15,"text":"In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain."},{"verseNumber":16,"text":"How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver."},{"verseNumber":17,"text":"The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul."},{"verseNumber":18,"text":"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."},{"verseNumber":19,"text":"Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the spoil with the proud."},{"verseNumber":20,"text":"He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he."},{"verseNumber":21,"text":"The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning."},{"verseNumber":22,"text":"Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the correction of fools is their folly."},{"verseNumber":23,"text":"The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips."},{"verseNumber":24,"text":"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."},{"verseNumber":25,"text":"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."},{"verseNumber":26,"text":"The appetite of the labouring man laboureth for him; for his mouth craveth it of him."},{"verseNumber":27,"text":"A worthless man deviseth mischief: and in his lips there is as a scorching fire."},{"verseNumber":28,"text":"A froward man scattereth abroad strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends."},{"verseNumber":29,"text":"A man of violence enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him in a way that is not good."},{"verseNumber":30,"text":"He that shutteth his eyes, it is to devise froward things: he that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass."},{"verseNumber":31,"text":"The hoary head is a crown of glory, it shall be found in the way of righteousness."},{"verseNumber":32,"text":"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city."},{"verseNumber":33,"text":"The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD."}],"citation":{"inline":"Proverbs 16 (ERV)","markdown":"[Proverbs 16](https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/16)","sbl":"Prime Bible. *The Bible.* ERV. https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/16 (accessed 2026-05-30)."}}