Chapter 16

¹ The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

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

³ Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

⁴ The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

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

⁶ By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

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

⁸ Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

⁹ A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

¹⁰ A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

¹¹ A just weight and balance are the LORD’s: all the weights of the bag are his work.

¹² It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

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

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

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

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

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

¹⁸ Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

¹⁹ Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

²⁰ He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

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

²² Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

²³ The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

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

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

²⁶ He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

²⁷ An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

²⁸ A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

²⁹ A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

³⁰ He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

³¹ The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

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

³³ The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.