Proverbs 16
The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD
¹ The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
² All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
³ Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
⁴ The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
⁵ Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
⁶ By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.
⁷ When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
⁸ Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
⁹ A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
¹⁰ A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
¹¹ Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
¹² Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
¹³ Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
¹⁴ The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
¹⁵ When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
¹⁶ How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
¹⁷ The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
¹⁹ It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
²⁰ Whoever heeds instruction will find success,1 and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
²¹ The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
²² Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
²³ The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness 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 way of death.
²⁶ A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
²⁷ A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech 2 is like a scorching fire.
²⁸ A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
²⁹ A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
³⁰ He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
³¹ Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
³² He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
³³ The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.