Proverbs 16

The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD

¹ The plans of the heart belong to man,

but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.

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

but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

³ Commit your works to the LORD

and your plans will be achieved.

⁴ The LORD has made everything for His purpose—

even the wicked for the day of disaster.

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

be assured that he will not go unpunished.

⁶ By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,

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

⁷ When a man’s ways please the LORD,

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

⁸ Better a little with righteousness

than great gain with injustice.

⁹ A man’s heart plans his course,

but the LORD determines his steps.

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

his mouth must not betray justice.

¹¹ Honest scales and balances are from the LORD;

all the weights in the bag are His concern.

¹² Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,

for a throne is established through righteousness.

¹³ Righteous lips are a king’s delight,

and he who speaks honestly is beloved.

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

but a wise man will pacify it.

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

his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

¹⁶ How much better to acquire wisdom than gold!

To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

¹⁷ The highway of the upright leads away from evil;

he who guards his way protects his life.

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction,

and a haughty spirit before a fall.

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

than to divide the spoil with the proud.

²⁰ Whoever heeds instruction will find success,^a

and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

²¹ The wise in heart are called discerning,

and pleasant speech promotes instruction.

²² Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor,

but the discipline of fools is folly.

²³ The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth

and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb,

sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

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

but its end is the way of death.

²⁶ A worker’s appetite works for him

because his hunger drives him onward.

²⁷ A worthless man digs up evil,

and his speech^b is like a scorching fire.

²⁸ A perverse man spreads dissension,

and a gossip divides close friends.

²⁹ A violent man entices his neighbor

and leads him down a path that is not good.

³⁰ He who winks his eye devises perversity;

he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

³¹ Gray hair is a crown of glory;

it is attained along the path of righteousness.

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

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

³³ The lot is cast into the lap,

but its every decision is from the LORD.