Proverbs 16

Man plans, the Lord answers

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.a ²All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.b ³Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.c

⁴The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.d ⁵Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.e ⁶By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.f

⁷When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.g ⁸Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.h ⁹A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.i

¹⁰A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice. ¹¹Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern. ¹²Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.j

¹³Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved. ¹⁴The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. ¹⁵When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

¹⁶How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.k ¹⁷The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.l ¹⁸Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.m

¹⁹It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud. ²⁰Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.n ²¹The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.o

²²Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly. ²³The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. ²⁴Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.p

²⁵There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.q ²⁶A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward. ²⁷A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

²⁸A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends. ²⁹A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good. ³⁰He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

³¹Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.r ³²He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.s ³³The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.t