Proverbs 16:1–33

¹ The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD. ² All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD. ³ Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved. ⁴ The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster. ⁵ Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished. ⁶ By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil. ⁷ When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him. ⁸ Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice. ⁹ A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. ¹⁰ A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice. ¹¹ Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern. ¹² Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness. ¹³ Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved. ¹⁴ The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. ¹⁵ When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. ¹⁶ How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver. ¹⁷ The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life. ¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. ¹⁹ It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud. ²⁰ Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. ²¹ The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction. ²² Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly. ²³ The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. ²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. ²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. ²⁶ A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward. ²⁷ A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. ²⁸ A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends. ²⁹ A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good. ³⁰ He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil. ³¹ Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness. ³² He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls hi…