Proverbs 16
1 The reflections of the heart belong to mankind, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 All a person’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs motives.
3 Commit your activities to the LORD, and your plans will be established.
4 The LORD has prepared everything for his purpose — even the wicked for the day of disaster.
5 Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of the LORD.
7 When a person’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.
9 A person’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.
10 God’s verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.
11 Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his concern.
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 person 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.
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life.
18 Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble than to divide plunder with the proud.
20 The one who understands a matter finds success, and the one who trusts in the LORD will be happy.
21 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning.
22 Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth; it adds learning to his speech.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.
25 There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.
26 A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger urges him on.
27 A worthless person digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A contrary person spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.
29 A violent person lures his neighbor, leading him on a path that is not good.
30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions; the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.
31 Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the ways of righteousness.
32 Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s emotions, than capturing a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.