Proverbs 16:2-25

2All the ways of a person are clean in his own sight, But the 1Lord examines the 2motives.334Commit your works to the Lord, And your plans will be established.4The Lord 5has made everything for 6its own purpose, Even the 7wicked for the day of evil.5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; 8Be assured, he will not go unpunished.6By 9mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing, And by 10the 11fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.7When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He 12causes even his enemies to make peace with him.8Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice.9The mind of a 13person plans his way, But 14the Lord directs his steps.10A divine 15verdict is on 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, Because a 20throne is established on righteousness.13Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And one who speaks right is loved.14The fury of a king is like messengers of death; But a wise person 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 turn away from evil; One who watches his way protects his 25life.1826Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.19It is better to be 27humble in spirit with the needy Than to 28divide the spoils with the proud.20One who pays attention to the word will 29find good, And 30blessed is one 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 those who have it, But the discipline of fools is foolishness.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 person, But its end is the way of death.