Proverbs 16

To human beings belong the plans of the heart,

but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.^f

People may think all their ways are pure,^g

but motives are weighed^h by the Lord.ⁱ

Commit to the Lord whatever you do,

and he will establish your plans.^j

The Lord works out everything to its proper end^k—

even the wicked for a day of disaster.^l

The Lord detests all the proud of heart.^m

Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.ⁿ

Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;

through the fear of the Lord^o evil is avoided.^p

When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,

he causes their enemies to make peace^q with them.^r

Better a little with righteousness

than much gain^s with injustice.^t

In their hearts human beings plan their course,

but the Lord establishes their steps.^u

The lips of a king speak as an oracle,

and his mouth does not betray justice.^v

Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;

all the weights in the bag are of his making.^w

Kings detest wrongdoing,

for a throne is established through righteousness.^x

Kings take pleasure in honest lips;

they value persons who speak what is right.^y

A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,^z

but the wise will appease it.^a

When a king’s face brightens, it means life;^b

his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.^c

How much better to get wisdom than gold,

to get insight^d rather than silver!^e

The highway of the upright avoids evil;

those who guard their ways preserve their lives.^f

Pride^g goes before destruction,

a haughty spirit^h before a fall.ⁱ

Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed

than to share plunder with the proud.

Those who give heed to instruction prosper,^j

and blessed are those who trust in the Lord.^k

The wise in heart are called discerning,

and gracious words promote instruction.^l

Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,^m

but folly brings punishment to fools.

The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,ⁿ

and their lips promote instruction.^o

Gracious words are a honeycomb,^p

sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.^q

There is a way that appears to be right,^r

but in the end it leads to death.^s

The appetite of laborers works for them;

their hunger drives them on.

Scoundrels^t plot evil,

and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.^u

The perverse stir up dissension,^v

and gossips separate close friends.^w

The violent entice their neighbors

and lead them down a path that is not good.^x

Those who wink^y with their eyes are plotting perversity;

those who purse their lips are bent on evil.

Gray hair is a crown of splendor;^z

it is attained in the way of righteousness.

Better a patient person than a warrior,

those with self-control than those who take a city.

The lot is cast^a into the lap,

but its every decision^b is from the Lord.^c