Proverbs 16

1The plans of the heart belong to man; But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.

2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the spirits.

3Commit thy works unto Jehovah, And thy purposes shall be established.

4Jehovah hath made everything for its own end; Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah: Though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for; And by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil.

7When a man’s ways please Jehovah, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8Better is a little, with righteousness, Than great revenues with injustice.

9A man’s heart deviseth his way; But Jehovah directeth his steps.

10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; His mouth shall not transgress in judgment.

11A just balance and scales are Jehovah’s; All the weights of the bag are his work.

12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; For the throne is established by righteousness.

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right.

14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death; But a wise man will pacify it.

15In the light of the king’s countenance is life; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.

16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.

17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

18Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

19Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good; And whoso trusteth in Jehovah, happy is he.

21The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is their folly.

23The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.

24Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.

26The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him thereto.

27A worthless man deviseth mischief; And in his lips there is as a scorching fire.

28A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.

29A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him in a way that is not good.

30He that shutteth his eyes, it is to devise perverse things: He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.

31The hoary head is a crown of glory; It shall be found in the way of righteousness.

32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole disposing thereof is of Jehovah.