Proverbs 16
1 People make plans in the heart, but the answer of the tongue comes from the LORD.
2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but the LORD weighs the spirits.
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 Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; they will certainly not go unpunished.
6 Through faithful love and faithfulness, guilt is atoned for; through fear of the LORD, a person turns away from evil.
7 When the LORD is pleased with someone’s ways, he makes even that person’s enemies live at peace with them.
8 Better a little with justice than great income gained unjustly.
9 A person’s heart plans their way, but the LORD establishes their steps.
10 An oracle is on the king’s lips; his mouth does not betray justice when he judges.
11 Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD; all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 Doing evil is detestable to kings, for a throne is established by justice.
13 Righteous lips delight kings; a king loves those who speak uprightly.
14 The king’s anger is a messenger of death, but a wise person can calm it.
15 The light of the king’s face means life; his favor is like a spring rain cloud.
16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; whoever watches their way preserves their life.
18 Pride comes before ruin, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be humble in spirit among the humble than to share plunder with the proud.
20 Whoever pays attention to the word finds good; happy is the one who trusts in the LORD.
21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious speech increases learning.
22 Good sense is a fountain of life to those who have it, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 The wise person’s heart gives insight to their speech, and their lips increase learning.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death.
26 A worker’s appetite works for them, because their mouth urges them on.
27 A worthless person digs up trouble; their lips are like scorching fire.
28 A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.
29 A violent person deceives their neighbor and leads them down a harmful path.
30 Whoever shuts their eyes is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips has already decided on evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of beauty; it is found on the path of righteousness.
32 Better to be slow to anger than a warrior, and to rule your spirit than to capture a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but every decision it yields comes from the LORD.
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