He whose eyes are shut is a man of twisted purposes, and he who keeps his lips shut tight makes evil come about.
31
The grey head is a crown of glory, if it is seen in the way of righteousness.
32
He who is slow to be angry is better than a man of war, and he who has control over his spirit than he who takes a town.
33
A thing may be put to the decision of chance, but it comes about through the Lord.
Proverbs 16:33 — Frequently Asked Questions
7 questions
What does Proverbs 16:33 say?
Proverbs 16:33 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “A thing may be put to the decision of chance, but it comes about through the Lord.”
Where is Proverbs 16:33 in the Bible?
Proverbs 16:33 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 16, verse 33.
Who wrote Proverbs?
Proverbs is traditionally attributed to Solomon (primarily), with sections by Agur and Lemuel. It was written c. 970–700 BC.
What is the book of Proverbs about?
Proverbs is practical wisdom for everyday life — short, vivid sayings on speech, work, money, friendship, sex, parenting, and the fear of the LORD. It teaches that wisdom is not mere cleverness but a way of walking with God in a complicated world.
What are the major themes of Proverbs?
Proverbs explores themes including Wisdom, Folly, Fear of the LORD, Discipline, Speech, Diligence. These themes shape the meaning and context of Proverbs 16:33.
What translation should I read Proverbs 16:33 in?
Proverbs 16:33 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Proverbs 16:33?
Proverbs 16:33 reads (BBE): “A thing may be put to the decision of chance, but it comes about through the Lord.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.