16
1 The
plans of the
heart belong to
man,
but 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
weighs the motives.
3 Commit
your deeds to
the LORD,
and your plans
shall succeed.
4 The
LORD has made
everything for
its own end—
yes, even the
wicked for the
day of evil.
5 Everyone
who is proud
in heart is
an abomination to
the LORD;
they shall
certainly not be
unpunished.
6 By
mercy and truth
iniquity is atoned
for.
By the fear
of the LORD
men depart from
evil.
7 When
a man’s ways
please the LORD,
he makes even
his enemies to be
at peace with
him.
8 Better
is a little
with righteousness,
than great
revenues with
injustice.
9 A
man’s heart plans
his course,
but the LORD
directs his steps.
10 Inspired
judgments are on
the lips of
the king.
He shall
not betray his
mouth.
11 Honest
balances and
scales are the
LORD’s;
all the weights
in the bag
are his work.
12 It
is an abomination
for kings to
do wrong,
for the throne
is established by
righteousness.
13 Righteous
lips are the
delight of kings.
They value one
who speaks
the truth.
14 The
king’s wrath is
a messenger of
death,
but a wise
man will pacify
it.
15 In
the light of the
king’s face is
life.
His favor is
like a cloud
of the spring
rain.
16 How
much better it
is to get
wisdom than gold!
Yes, to get understanding
is to be chosen
rather than silver.
17 The
highway of the
upright is to
depart from evil.
He who keeps
his way preserves
his soul.
18 Pride
goes before
destruction,
and an arrogant
spirit before a
fall.
19 It
is better to
be of a
lowly spirit with
the poor,
than to divide
the plunder with
the proud.
20 He
who heeds the Word
finds prosperity.
Whoever trusts in
the LORD
is blessed.
21 The
wise in heart
shall be
called prudent.
Pleasantness of the
lips promotes instruction.
22 Understanding is
a fountain of
life to one
who has it,
but the punishment
of fools is their folly.
23 The
heart of the
wise instructs his
mouth,
and adds learning
to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are
a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul,
and health to the
bones.
25 There
is a way
which seems right
to a man,
but in the end
it leads to death.
26 The
appetite of the
laboring man
labors for him,
for his
mouth urges him on.
27 A
worthless man devises
mischief.
His speech is
like a scorching fire.
28 A
perverse man stirs up
strife.
A whisperer separates close
friends.
29 A
man of violence
entices his
neighbor,
and leads him in
a way that
is not good.
30 One who
winks his eyes
to plot perversities,
one who compresses his
lips, is bent on
evil.
31 Gray
hair is a
crown of glory.
It is attained by
a life of
righteousness.
32 One
who is slow to
anger is better
than the mighty;
one who rules
his spirit, than
he who takes
a city.
33 The
lot is cast
into the lap,
but its every
decision is from
the LORD.