16
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue comes from the LORD.
2 All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirits.
3 Commit your works 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 calamity.
5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 By kindness and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies be at peace with him.
8 Better a little with righteousness than great income without justice.
9 A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.
10 An oracle is on the lips of a king;
his mouth must not be unfaithful in judgment.
11 Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 Doing wickedness is an abomination to kings, for a throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love the one who speaks uprightly.
14 A king’s wrath is like messengers of death, but a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face is life, and his favor is like a cloud of spring rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
To get understanding is preferable to silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil;
whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide plunder with the proud.
20 Whoever attends to the word will find good, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.
21 A person wise in heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasion.
22 Good sense is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds persuasion to his lips.
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 man, but its end is the ways of death.
26 The appetite of a laborer labors for him, for his mouth drives him on.
27 A worthless man digs up evil, and on his lip is a scorching fire.
28 A perverse man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him on a way that is not good.
30 Whoever narrows his eyes is plotting perversity;
whoever presses his lips together has carried out evil.
31 Gray hair is a glorious crown;
it is found in the way of righteousness.
32 One who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and one who rules his spirit than one who captures a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision comes from the LORD.