16 The apreparations 1of the heart belong to man,

bBut the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own ceyes,

But the Lord weighs the spirits.

3 dCommit 2your works to the Lord,

And your thoughts will be established.

4 The eLord has made all for Himself,

fYes, even the wicked for the day of 3doom.

5 gEveryone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;

Though they join 4forces, none will go unpunished.

6 hIn mercy and truth

Atonement is provided for iniquity;

And iby the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.

7 When a man’s ways please the Lord,

He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 jBetter is a little with righteousness,

Than vast revenues without justice.

9 kA man’s heart plans his way,

lBut the Lord directs his steps.

10 Divination is on the lips of the king;

His mouth must not transgress in judgment.

11 mHonest weights and scales are the Lord’s;

All the weights in the bag are His 5work.

12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,

For na throne is established by righteousness.

13 oRighteous lips are the delight of kings,

And they love him who speaks what is right.

14 As messengers of death is the king’s wrath,

But a wise man will pappease it.

15 In the light of the king’s face is life,

And his favor is like a qcloud of the latter rain.

16 rHow much better to get wisdom than gold!

And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.