16TH CHAPTER

Wisdom’s Blessings Come from the Lord

1  The plans of the heart belong to humans, 

but an answer on the tongue comes from the Lord. 

2  A person thinks all his ways are pure, 

but the Lord weighs motives. 

3  Entrust your efforts to the Lord, 

and your plans will succeed. 

4  The Lord has made everything for his own purpose, 

even wicked people for the day of trouble. 

5  Everyone with a conceited heart is disgusting to the Lord. 

Certainly, ⸤such a person⸥ will not go unpunished. 

6  By mercy and faithfulness, peace is made with the Lord. 

By the fear of the Lord, evil is avoided. 

7  When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, 

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

8  Better a few ⸤possessions⸥ gained honestly 

than many gained through injustice. 

9  A person may plan his own journey, 

but the Lord directs his steps. 

10  When a divine revelation is on a king’s lips, 

he cannot voice a wrong judgment. 

11  Honest balances and scales belong to the Lord. 

He made the entire set of weights. 

12  Wrongdoing is disgusting to kings 

because a throne is established through righteousness. 

13  Kings are happy with honest words, 

and whoever speaks what is right is loved. 

14  A king’s anger announces death, 

but a wise man makes peace with him. 

15  When the king is cheerful, there is life, 

and his favor is like a cloud bringing spring rain. 

16  How much better it is to gain wisdom than gold, 

and the gaining of understanding should be chosen over silver. 

17  The highway of decent people turns away from evil. 

Whoever watches his way preserves his own life. 

18  Pride precedes a disaster, 

and an arrogant attitude precedes a fall. 

19  Better to be humble with lowly people 

than to share stolen goods with arrogant people. 

20  Whoever gives attention to the Lord’s word prospers, 

and blessed is the person who trusts the Lord. 

21  The person who is truly wise is called understanding, 

and speaking sweetly helps others learn. 

22  Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, 

but stubborn fools punish themselves with their stupidity. 

23  A wise person’s heart controls his speech, 

and what he says helps others learn. 

24  Pleasant words are ⸤like⸥ honey from a honeycomb— 

sweet to the spirit and healthy for the body. 

Words of Advice to a Wise Son

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

but eventually it ends in death. 

26  A laborer’s appetite works to his advantage, 

because his hunger drives him on. 

27  A worthless person plots trouble, 

and his speech is like a burning fire. 

28  A devious person spreads quarrels. 

A gossip separates the closest of friends. 

29  A violent person misleads his neighbor 

and leads him on a path that is not good. 

30  Whoever winks his eye is plotting something devious. 

Whoever bites his lips has finished his evil work. 

31  Silver hair is a beautiful crown found in a righteous life. 

32  Better to get angry slowly than to be a hero. 

Better to be even-tempered than to capture a city. 

33  The dice are thrown, 

but the Lord determines every outcome.