Proverbs 16:1-33

The reflections of the heart belong to mankind, but the answer of the tongue is from the  Lord.  All a person’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs motives.  , Commit your activities to the  Lord, and your plans will be established.  The Lord has prepared everything for his purpose — even the wicked for the day of disaster.  Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the  Lord;  be assured,  he will not go unpunished.  Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,  and one turns from evil by the fear of the  Lord.  When a person’s ways please the  Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.  Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.  A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.  God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;  , his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.  Honest balances and scales are the  Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his concern.  Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,  since a throne is established through righteousness.  Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly. A king’s fury is a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.  When a king’s face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain. Get wisdom — how much better it is than gold! And get understanding — it is preferable to silver.  The highway of the upright  avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life.  Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.  Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble  , than to divide plunder with the proud.  The one who understands a matter finds success,  and the one who trusts in the  Lord will be happy.  Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech  increases learning.  Insight is a fountain of life  for its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly. The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth; it adds learning to his speech.  , Pleasant words are a honeycomb:  sweet to the taste  and health to the body.  , There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.  A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger  urges him on. A worthless person digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.  A contrary person spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.  A violent person lures his neighbor,  leading him on a path that is not good.  The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions; the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.  Gray hair is a glorious crown;  it is found in the ways of righteousness.  Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s emotions,  than capturing a city.  The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the  Lord.