Proverbs 16

¹ Man may make plans in his heart, but what the tongue utters is from the LORD.

² All the ways of a man may be pure in his own eyes, but it is the LORD who proves the spirit.

³ Entrust your works to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.

⁴ The LORD has made everything for his own ends, even the wicked for the evil day.

⁵ Every proud man is an abomination to the LORD; I assure you that he will not go unpunished.

⁶ By kindness and piety guilt is expiated, and by the fear of the LORD man avoids evil.

⁷ When the LORD is pleased with a man's ways, he makes even his enemies be at peace with him.

⁸ Better a little with virtue, than a large income with injustice.

⁹ In his mind a man plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.

¹⁰ The king's lips are an oracle; no judgment he pronounces is false.

¹¹ Balance and scales belong to the LORD; all the weights used with them are his concern.

¹² Kings have a horror of wrongdoing, for by righteousness the throne endures.

¹³ The king takes delight in honest lips, and the man who speaks what is right he loves.

¹⁴ The king's wrath is like messengers of death, but a wise man can pacify it.

¹⁵ In the light of the king's countenance is life, and his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

¹⁶ How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.

¹⁷ The path of the upright avoids misfortune; he who pays attention to his way safeguards his life.

¹⁸ Pride goes before disaster, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

¹⁹ It is better to be humble with the meek than to share plunder with the proud.

²⁰ He who plans a thing will be successful; happy is he who trusts in the LORD!

²¹ The wise man is esteemed for his discernment, yet pleasing speech increases his persuasiveness.

²² Good sense is a fountain of life to its possessor, but folly brings chastisement on fools.

²³ The mind of the wise man makes him eloquent, and augments the persuasiveness of his lips.

²⁴ Pleasing words are a honeycomb, sweet to the taste and healthful to the body.

²⁵ Sometimes a way seems right to a man, but the end of it leads to death!

²⁶ The laborer's appetite labors for him, for his mouth urges him on.

²⁷ A scoundrel is a furnace of evil, and on his lips there is a scorching fire.

²⁸ An intriguer sows discord, and a talebearer separates bosom friends.

²⁹ A lawless man allures his neighbor, and leads him into a way that is not good.

³⁰ He who winks his eye is plotting trickery; he who compresses his lips has mischief ready.

³¹ Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by virtuous living.

³² A patient man is better than a warrior, and he who rules his temper, than he who takes a city.

³³ When the lot is cast into the lap, its decision depends entirely on the LORD.