Proverbs 16:2-25

2All a person’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs motives.

3Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

4The Lord has prepared everything for his purpose — even the wicked for the day of disaster.

5Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

6Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.

7When a person’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.

9A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.

10God’s verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.

11Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his concern.

12Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness.

13Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly.

14A king’s fury is a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.

15When a king’s face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

16Get wisdom — how much better it is than gold! And get understanding — it is preferable to silver.

17The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life.

18Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

19Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble than to divide plunder with the proud.

20The one who understands a matter finds success, and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.

21Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning.

22Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.

23The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth; it adds learning to his speech.

24Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.

25There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.