Proverbs 16

The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD

¹The plans of the heart belong to man,

but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.2

²All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes,

but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

³Commit your works to the LORD

and your plans will be achieved.1

⁴The LORD has made everything for His purpose—

even the wicked for the day of disaster.1

⁵Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD;

be assured that he will not go unpunished.

⁶By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,

and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.

⁷When a man’s ways please the LORD,

He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.1

⁸Better a little with righteousness

than great gain with injustice.

⁹A man’s heart plans his course,

but the LORD determines his steps.1

¹⁰A divine verdict is on the lips of a king;

his mouth must not betray justice.

¹¹Honest scales and balances are from the LORD;

all the weights in the bag are His concern.

¹²Wicked behavior is detestable for kings,

for a throne is established through righteousness.

¹³Righteous lips are a king’s delight,

and he who speaks honestly is beloved.

¹⁴The wrath of a king is a messenger of death,

but a wise man will pacify it.

¹⁵When a king’s face brightens, there is life;

his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

¹⁶How much better to acquire wisdom than gold!

To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

¹⁷The highway of the upright leads away from evil;

he who guards his way protects his life.

¹⁸Pride goes before destruction,

and a haughty spirit before a fall.

¹⁹It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble

than to divide the spoil with the proud.

²⁰Whoever heeds instruction will find success,

and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

²¹The wise in heart are called discerning,

and pleasant speech promotes instruction.

²²Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor,

but the discipline of fools is folly.1

²³The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth

and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

²⁴Pleasant words are a honeycomb,

sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

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

but its end is the way of death.

²⁶A worker’s appetite works for him

because his hunger drives him onward.

²⁷A worthless man digs up evil,

and his speech is like a scorching fire.

²⁸A perverse man spreads dissension,

and a gossip divides close friends.

²⁹A violent man entices his neighbor

and leads him down a path that is not good.

³⁰He who winks his eye devises perversity;

he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

³¹Gray hair is a crown of glory;

it is attained along the path of righteousness.

³²He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior,

and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.1

³³The lot is cast into the lap,

but its every decision is from the LORD.