Proverbs 16

1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.

3Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.

4The LORD has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; they shall certainly not be unpunished.

6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

7When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

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

9A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.

10Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.

11Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.

12It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.

14The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

15In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.

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

17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

18Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.

20He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.

21The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.

22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.

23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

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

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

26The appetite of the laboring man labors for him, for his mouth urges him on.

27A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.

28A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.

29A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.

30One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.

31Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.

32One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

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