Proverbs 16

¹The reflections of the heart belong to mankind,

but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. ^a

²All a person’s ways seem right to him,

but the Lord weighs motives. ^b,^c

³Commit your activities to the Lord,

and your plans will be established. ^d

⁴The Lord has prepared everything for his purpose —

even the wicked for the day of disaster. ^e

⁵Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord; ^f

be assured, ^g he will not go unpunished. ^h

⁶Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, ⁱ

and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord. ^j

⁷When a person’s ways please the Lord,

he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. ^k

⁸Better a little with righteousness

than great income with injustice. ^l

⁹A person’s heart plans his way,

but the Lord determines his steps. ^m

¹⁰God’s verdict is on the lips of a king; ⁿ,^o

his mouth should not give an unfair judgment. ^p

¹¹Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;

all the weights in the bag are his concern. ^q

¹²Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, ^r

since a throne is established through righteousness. ^s

¹³Righteous lips are a king’s delight,

and he loves one who speaks honestly.

¹⁴A king’s fury is a messenger of death,

but a wise person appeases it. ^t

¹⁵When a king’s face lights up, there is life;

his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

¹⁶Get wisdom —

how much better it is than gold!

And get understanding —

it is preferable to silver. ^u

¹⁷The highway of the upright ^v avoids evil;

the one who guards his way protects his life. ^w

¹⁸Pride comes before destruction,

and an arrogant spirit before a fall. ^x

¹⁹Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble ^y,^z

than to divide plunder with the proud. ^aa

²⁰The one who understands a matter finds success, ^ab

and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy. ^ac

²¹Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,

and pleasant speech ^ad increases learning. ^ae

²²Insight is a fountain of life ^af for its possessor,

but the discipline of fools is folly.

²³The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth;

it adds learning to his speech. ^ag,^ah

²⁴Pleasant words are a honeycomb: ^ai

sweet to the taste ^aj and health to the body. ^ak,^al

²⁵There is a way that seems right to a person,

but its end is the way to death. ^am

²⁶A worker’s appetite works for him

because his hunger ^an urges him on.

²⁷A worthless person digs up evil,

and his speech is like a scorching fire. ^ao

²⁸A contrary person spreads conflict,

and a gossip separates close friends. ^ap

²⁹A violent person lures his neighbor, ^aq

leading him on a path that is not good. ^ar

³⁰The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;

the one who compresses his lips brings about evil. ^as

³¹Gray hair is a glorious crown; ^at

it is found in the ways of righteousness. ^au

³²Patience is better than power,

and controlling one’s emotions, ^av than capturing a city. ^aw

³³The lot is cast into the lap,

but its every decision is from the Lord. ^ax