Proverbs 16:16–30

16 Get wisdom—

how much better it is than gold!

And get understanding—

it is preferable to silver. m

17 The highway of the upright n avoids evil;

the one who guards his way protects his life. o

18 Pride comes before destruction,

and an arrogant spirit before a fall. p

19 Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble q r

than to divide plunder with the proud. s

20 The one who understands a matter finds success, t

and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy. u

21 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,

and pleasant speech v increases learning. w

22 Insight is a fountain of life x for its possessor,

but the discipline of fools is folly.

23 A wise heart instructs its mouth

and increases learning with its speech. y z

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb: a

sweet to the taste b and health to the body. c d

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

but its end is the way to death. e

26 A worker’s appetite works for him

because his hunger f urges him on.

27 A worthless man digs up evil,

and his speech is like a scorching fire. g

28 A contrary man spreads conflict,

and a gossip separates close friends. h

29 A violent man lures his neighbor, i

leading him in a way that is not good. j

30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;

the one who compresses his lips brings about evil. k