16:1 To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.
16:2 All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
16:4 The LORD works out everything for his own ends–even the wicked for a day of disaster.
16:5 The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
16:6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.
16:7 When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.
16:8 Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
16:10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth should not betray justice.
16:11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making.
16:12 Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.
16:13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth.
16:14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it.
16:15 When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!
16:17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life.
16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
16:19 Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
16:20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
16:21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.
16:22 Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools.
16:23 A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.
16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
16:26 The laborer’s appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on.
16:27 A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
16:28 A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
16:29 A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
16:30 He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
16:31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.
16:32 Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.
16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man, / But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.
16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, / But Jehovah weighs the spirits.
16:3 Commit your works to Jehovah, / And your purposes will be established.
16:4 Jehovah has made everything for its own purpose, / Yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
16:5 Every one who is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah; / Be assured: He will not be unpunished.
16:6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is expiated, / And by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil.
16:7 When a man s ways please Jehovah, / He causes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
16:8 Better is a little with righteousness, / Than great income with injustice.
16:9 A man s heart devises his way, / But Jehovah directs his steps.
16:10 A divine decision is on the lips of the king; / His mouth will not transgress in judgment.
16:11 A just balance and just scales are Jehovah s; / All the weights of the bag are His work.
16:12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness, / For the throne is established by righteousness.
16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, / And they love one who speaks right.
16:14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death, / But a wise man will appease it.
16:15 In the light of the king s countenance is life, / And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.
16:16 How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold, / And to acquire understanding is to be chosen above silver.
16:17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; / He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
16:18 Pride goes before destruction, / And a haughty spirit before a fall.
16:19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, / Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
16:20 He who gives heed to the word will find good, / And blessed is he who trusts in Jehovah.
16:21 The wise in heart will be called discerning, / And the sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
16:22 Insight is a fountain of life to him who has it, / But the correction of fools is folly.
16:23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth / And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, / Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
16:25 There is a way which seems right to a man, / But the end of it is the ways of death.
16:26 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; / For his mouth urges him on.
16:27 A worthless man digs up evil, / And on his lips there is a scorching fire.
16:28 A perverse man spreads strife, / And a whisperer separates close friends.
16:29 A man of violence entices his neighbor / And leads him in a way that is not good.
16:30 He who shuts his eyes does so to devise perverse things; / He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.
16:31 The gray head is a crown of glory; / It will be found in the way of righteousness.
16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; / And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, / But everything it decides is from Jehovah.