Proverbs 16

¹ The plans of the mind belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

² All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.

³ Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

⁴ The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

⁵ Every one who is arrogant is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

⁶ By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.

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

⁸ Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.

⁹ A man's mind plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.

¹⁰ Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.

¹¹ A just balance and scales are the LORDs; all the weights in the bag are his work.

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 him who speaks what is right.

¹⁴ A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man 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 To get wisdom is better than gold; to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

¹⁷ The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; he who guards his way preserves his life.

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

¹⁹ It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

²⁰ He who gives heed to the word will prosper, and happy is he who trusts in the LORD.

²¹ The wise of heart is called a man of discernment, and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.

²² Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it, but folly is the chastisement of fools.

²³ The mind of the wise makes his speech judicious, and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

²⁴ Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

²⁵ There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

²⁶ A worker's appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.

²⁷ A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

²⁸ A perverse man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

²⁹ A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.

³⁰ He who winks his eyes plans perverse things, he who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

³¹ A hoary head is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.

³² He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

³³ The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly from the LORD.