Proverbs 16

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

1The 1plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.2All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the 2Lord weighs the 3motives.345Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established.4The Lord 6has made everything for 7its own purpose, Even the 8wicked for the day of evil.5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.6By 9lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the 1011fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.7When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He 12makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.8Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice.9The mind of 13man plans his way, But 14the Lord directs his steps.10A divine 15decision is in the lips of the king; His mouth should not 16err in judgment.11A 17just balance and scales belong to the Lord; All the 18weights of the bag are His 19concern.12It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, For a 20throne is established on righteousness.13Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And he who speaks right is loved.14The fury of a king is like messengers of death, But a wise man will appease it.15In the light of a king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the 2122spring rain.16How much 23better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.17The 24highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his 25life.1826Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.19It is better to be 27humble in spirit with the lowly Than to 28divide the spoil with the proud.20He who gives attention to the word will 29find good, And 30blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.21The 31wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of 32speech 33increases 34persuasiveness.22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the discipline of fools is folly.23The 35heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds 36persuasiveness to his lips.2437Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and 38healing to the bones.2539There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.26A worker’s appetite works for him, For his 40hunger urges him on.27A 41worthless man digs up evil, While 42his words are like 43scorching fire.28A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends.29A man of violence 44entices his neighbor And leads him in a way that is not good.30He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.31A 45gray head is a crown of glory; It 46is found in the way of righteousness.32He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.33The 47lot is cast into the lap, But its every 48decision is from the Lord.