Proverbs 16:12–16
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for cthe throne is established by righteousness.
13 dRighteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
14 eA king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will fappease it.
15 gIn the light of a king’s face there is life,
and his dfavor is like hthe clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 iHow much better to get wisdom than jgold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than ksilver.
Proverbs 16:12–16 — The New International Version (NIV)
12 Kings detest wrongdoing,
for a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value the one who speaks what is right.
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
but the wise will appease it.
15 When a king’s face brightens, it means life;
his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to get insight rather than silver!
Proverbs 16:12–16 — King James Version (KJV 1900)
12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness:
For the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings;
And they love him that speaketh right.
14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death:
But a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of the king’s countenance is life;
And his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Proverbs 16:12–16 — New Living Translation (NLT)
12 A king detests wrongdoing,
for his rule is built on justice.
13 The king is pleased with words from righteous lips;
he loves those who speak honestly.
14 The anger of the king is a deadly threat;
the wise will try to appease it.
15 When the king smiles, there is life;
his favor refreshes like a spring rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
and good judgment than silver!
Proverbs 16:12–16 — The New King James Version (NKJV)
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,
For a throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And they love him who speaks what is right.
14 As messengers of death is the king’s wrath,
But a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
Proverbs 16:12–16 — New Century Version (NCV)
12 Kings hate those who do wrong,
because governments only continue if they are fair.
13 Kings like honest people;
they value someone who speaks the truth.
14 An angry king can put someone to death,
so a wise person will try to make him happy.
15 A smiling king can give people life;
his kindness is like a spring shower.
16 It is better to get wisdom than gold,
and to choose understanding rather than silver!
Proverbs 16:12–16 — American Standard Version (ASV)
12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness;
For the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings;
And they love him that speaketh right.
14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death;
But a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of the king’s countenance is life;
And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!
Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.
Proverbs 16:12–16 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)
12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him that speaketh aright.
14 The fury of a king is as messengers of death; but a wise man will pacify it. 15 In the light of the king’s countenance is life, and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than fine gold, and the getting of intelligence to be preferred to silver!
Proverbs 16:12–16 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
12 Wrongdoing is disgusting to kings
because a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Kings are happy with honest words,
and whoever speaks what is right is loved.
14 A king’s anger announces death,
but a wise man makes peace with him.
15 When the king is cheerful, there is life,
and his favor is like a cloud bringing spring rain.
16 How much better it is to gain wisdom than gold,
and the gaining of understanding should be chosen over silver.
Proverbs 16:12–16 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,
since a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight,
and he loves one who speaks honestly.
14 A king’s fury is a messenger of death,
but a wise man appeases it.
15 When a king’s face lights up, there is life;
his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.
16 Get wisdom—
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding—
it is preferable to silver.
Proverbs 16:12–16 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves those who speak what is right.
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
and whoever is wise will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face there is life,
and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
Proverbs 16:12–16 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)
12 An abomination to kings is doing evil,
for by righteousness the throne will be established.
13 The delight of kings are the lips of righteousness,
and he who speaks what is upright he will love.
14 The wrath of a king is a messenger of death,
but one who is wise will appease it.
15 In the light of the face of the king there is life,
and his favor is like a cloud of spring rain.
16 Getting wisdom: how much better than gold!
And getting understanding: it is chosen over silver.
Proverbs 16:12–16 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)
12 A king hates it when his people do what is wrong.
A ruler is made secure when they do what is right.
13 Kings are pleased when what you say is honest.
They value people who speak the truth.
14 An angry king can order your death.
But a wise man will try to calm him down.
15 When a king’s face is happy, it means life.
His favor is like rain in the spring.
16 It is much better to get wisdom than gold.
It is much better to choose understanding than silver.
Proverbs 16:12–16 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts,
For a throne is established on righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And he who speaks right is loved.
14 The fury of a king is like messengers of death,
But a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.