Proverbs 16

¹To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.

²All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.

³Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

⁴The LORD works out everything for his own ends- even the wicked for a day of disaster.

⁵The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

⁶Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.

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

⁸Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.

⁹In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

¹⁰The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth should not betray justice.

¹¹Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making.

¹²Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.

¹³Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth.

¹⁴A king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it.

¹⁵When a king's face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

¹⁶How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!

¹⁷The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life.

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

¹⁹Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.

²⁰Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

²¹The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.

²²Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools.

²³A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.

²⁴Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

²⁵There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

²⁶The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on.

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

²⁸A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.

²⁹A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.

³⁰He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

³¹Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.

³²Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

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