Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16

1The plans of the mind belong to mortals,

but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord .

2All one’s ways may be pure in one’s own eyes,[#Prov 21.2]

but the Lord weighs the spirit.

3Commit your work to the Lord ,[#Ps 37.5]

and your plans will be established.

4The Lord has made everything for its purpose,[#Job 21.30; Isa 43.7]

even the wicked for the day of trouble.

5All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the Lord ;[#Prov 6.17; 11.21]

be assured, they will not go unpunished.

6By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,[#Prov 14.16; Dan 4.27]

and by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.

7When the ways of people please the Lord ,[#2 Chr 17.10]

he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.

8Better is a little with righteousness

than large income with injustice.

9The human mind plans the way,[#Ps 37.23; Prov 20.24; Jer 10.23]

but the Lord directs the steps.

10Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king;

his mouth does not sin in judgment.

11Honest balances and scales are the Lord ’s;[#Prov 11.1]

all the weights in the bag are his work.

12It is an abomination to kings to do evil,[#Prov 25.5]

for the throne is established by righteousness.

13Righteous lips are the delight of a king,[#Prov 14.35]

and he loves those who speak what is right.

14A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,[#Prov 19.12]

and whoever is wise will appease it.

15In the light of a king’s face there is life,[#Job 29.23]

and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

16How much better to get wisdom than gold![#Prov 8.10, 19]

To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

17The highway of the upright avoids evil;

those who guard their way preserve their lives.

18Pride goes before destruction[#Prov 11.2]

and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor

than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper,[#Ps 2.12; 34.8; Jer 17.7]

and happy are those who trust in the Lord .

21The wise of heart is called perceptive,

and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.

22Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it,[#Prov 7.22; 13.14]

but folly is the punishment of fools.

23The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious

and adds persuasiveness to their lips.

24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,

sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

25Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right,[#Prov 14.12]

but in the end it is the way to death.

26The appetite of workers works for them;

their hunger urges them on.

27Scoundrels concoct evil,[#Prov 6.12, 14, 18; Jas 3.6]

and their speech is like a scorching fire.

28A perverse person spreads strife,[#Prov 15.18; 17.9]

and a whisperer separates close friends.

29The violent entice their neighbors[#Prov 1.10]

and lead them in a way that is not good.

30One who winks the eyes plans perverse things;[#16.30 Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb to plan]

one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.

31Gray hair is a crown of glory;[#Prov 20.29]

it is gained in a righteous life.

32One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,[#Prov 19.11]

and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap,

but the decision is the Lord ’s alone.

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, copyright © 2021 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Published by: National Council of the Churches of Christ