Proverbs 16
16:1 The intentions of the heart1 belong to a man,2
but the answer of the tongue3 comes from4 the
16:2 All a person’s ways6 seem right7 in his own opinion,8
but the
16:3 Commit11 your works12 to the
and your plans will be established.13
16:4 The
even the wicked for the day of disaster.16
16:5 The
rest assured19 that they will not go unpunished.20
16:6 Through loyal love and truth21 iniquity is appeased;22
through fearing the
16:7 When a person’s26 ways are pleasing to the
he28 even reconciles his enemies to himself.29
16:8 Better to have a little with righteousness30
than to have abundant income without justice.31
16:9 A person32 plans his course,33
but the
16:10 The divine verdict36 is in the words37 of the king,
his pronouncements38 must not act treacherously39 against justice.
16:11 Honest scales and balances40 are from the
all the weights41 in the bag are his handiwork.
16:12 Doing wickedness42 is an abomination to kings,
because a throne43 is established in righteousness.
16:13 The delight of kings44 is righteous counsel,45
and they love the one who speaks46 uprightly.47
16:14 A king’s wrath48 is like49 a messenger of death,50
but a wise person appeases it.51
16:15 In the light of the king’s face52 there is life,
and his favor is like the clouds53 of the spring rain.54
16:16 How much better it is to acquire55 wisdom than gold;
to acquire understanding is more desirable56 than silver.
16:17 The highway57 of the upright is to turn58 away from evil;
the one who guards59 his way safeguards his life.60
16:18 Pride61 goes62 before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.63
16:19 It is better to be lowly in spirit64 with the afflicted
than to share the spoils65 with the proud.
16:20 The one who deals wisely66 in a matter67 will find success,68
and blessed69 is the one who trusts in the
16:21 The one who is wise in heart71 is called72 discerning,
and kind speech73 increases persuasiveness.74
16:22 Insight75 is like76 a life-giving fountain77 to the one who possesses it,
but folly leads to the discipline of fools.78
16:23 A wise person’s heart79 makes his speech wise80
and it adds persuasiveness81 to his words.82
16:24 Pleasant words are like83 a honeycomb,84
sweet to the soul and healing85 to the bones.
16:25 There is a way that seems right to a person,86
but its end is the way that leads to death.87
16:26 A laborer’s88 appetite89 works on his behalf,90
for his hunger91 urges him to work.92
16:27 A wicked scoundrel93 digs up94 evil,
and his slander95 is like a scorching fire.96
16:28 A perverse person97 spreads dissension,
and a gossip separates the closest friends.98
16:29 A violent person99 entices100 his neighbor,
and leads him down a path that is terrible.101
16:30 The one who winks his eyes102 devises perverse things,
and103 one who compresses his lips104 brings about105 evil.
16:31 Gray hair is like106 a crown of glory;107
it is attained108 in the path of righteousness.109
16:32 Better to be slow to anger110 than to be a mighty warrior,
and one who controls his temper111 is better than112 one who captures a city.113
16:33 The dice are thrown into the lap,114