Proverbs 16
16
1It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to govern the tongue.
2All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of spirits.
3Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed.
4The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day.
5Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice; and this is more acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices.
6By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
7When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.
8Better is a little with justice, than great revenues with iniquity.
9The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps.
10Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.
11Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all the weights of the bag.
12They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established by justice.
13Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right things shall be loved.
14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: and the wise man will pacify it.
15In the cheerfulness of the king's countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain.
16Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver.
17The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his way.
18Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.
19It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.
20The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is blessed.
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words shall attain to greater things.
22Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness.
23The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.
24Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death.
26The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it.
27The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.
28A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes.
29An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way that is not good
30He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth: evil to pass.
31Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.
32The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities.
33Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.
Proverbs 16
16
Wisdom’s Blessings Come from the LORD
1The plans of the heart belong to humans,
but an answer on the tongue comes from the Lord.
2A person thinks all his ways are pure,
but the Lord weighs motives.
3Entrust your efforts to the Lord,
and your plans will succeed.
4The Lord has made everything for his own purpose,
even wicked people for the day of trouble.
5Everyone with a conceited heart is disgusting to the Lord.
Certainly, ⌞such a person⌟ will not go unpunished.
6By mercy and faithfulness, peace is made with the Lord.
By the fear of the Lord, evil is avoided.
7When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8Better a few ⌞possessions⌟ gained honestly
than many gained through injustice.
9A person may plan his own journey,
but the Lord directs his steps.
10When a divine revelation is on a king’s lips,
he cannot voice a wrong judgment.
11Honest balances and scales belong to the Lord.
He made the entire set of weights.
12Wrongdoing is disgusting to kings
because a throne is established through righteousness.
13Kings are happy with honest words,
and whoever speaks what is right is loved.
14A king’s anger announces death,
but a wise man makes peace with him.
15When the king is cheerful, there is life,
and his favor is like a cloud bringing spring rain.
16How much better it is to gain wisdom than gold,
and the gaining of understanding should be chosen over silver.
17The highway of decent people turns away from evil.
Whoever watches his way preserves his own life.
18Pride precedes a disaster,
and an arrogant attitude precedes a fall.
19Better to be humble with lowly people
than to share stolen goods with arrogant people.
20Whoever gives attention to the Lord’s word prospers,
and blessed is the person who trusts the Lord.
21The person who is truly wise is called understanding,
and speaking sweetly helps others learn.
22Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it,
but stubborn fools punish themselves with their stupidity.
23A wise person’s heart controls his speech,
and what he says helps others learn.
24Pleasant words are ⌞like⌟ honey from a honeycomb—
sweet to the spirit and healthy for the body.
Words of Advice to a Wise Son
25There is a way that seems right to a person,
but eventually it ends in death.
26A laborer’s appetite works to his advantage,
because his hunger drives him on.
27A worthless person plots trouble,
and his speech is like a burning fire.
28A devious person spreads quarrels.
A gossip separates the closest of friends.
29A violent person misleads his neighbor
and leads him on a path that is not good.
30Whoever winks his eye is plotting something devious.
Whoever bites his lips has finished his evil work.
31Silver hair is a beautiful crown found in a righteous life.
32Better to get angry slowly than to be a hero.
Better to be even-tempered than to capture a city.
33The dice are thrown,
but the Lord determines every outcome.
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