Proverbs 16

1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits.3 Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.4 The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.6 In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.7 When a mans ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.8 Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice.9 A mans heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.10 Divination is on the lips of the king; His mouth must not transgress in judgment.11 Honest weights and scales are the Lords; All the weights in the bag are His work.12  It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right.14 As messengers of death is the kings wrath, But a wise man will appease it.15 In the light of the kings face is life, And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul.18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.21 The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly.23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips.24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.25 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.26 The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on. 27 An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire.28 A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.29 A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good.30 He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil.31 The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.32  He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.

PROVERBS 16

The [Lord] //Has the Final Word

1 We humans make plans,
but the [Lord]
has the final word.

2 We may think we know
what is right,
but the [Lord] is the judge
of our motives.

3 Share your plans with the [Lord],
and you will succeed.

4 The [Lord] has a reason
for everything he does,
and he lets evil people live
only to be punished.

5 The [Lord] doesn't like
anyone who is conceited—
you can be sure
they will be punished.

6  t If we truly love God,
our sins will be forgiven;
if we show him respect,
we will keep away from sin.

7 When we please the [Lord],
even our enemies
make friends with us.

8  t It's better to be honest
and poor
than to be dishonest
and rich.

9 We make our own plans,
but the [Lord] decides
where we will go.

10 Rulers speak with authority
and are never wrong.

11 The [Lord] watches to see
if we are fair
or if we cheat others.

12 Justice makes rulers powerful.
They should hate evil

13 and like honesty and truth.

14 An angry ruler
can put you to death.
So be wise!
Don't make one angry.

15 When a ruler is happy
and pleased with you,
it's like refreshing rain,
and you will live.

16 It's much better to be wise
and sensible
than to be rich.

17 God's people avoid evil ways,
and they protect themselves
by watching where they go.

18 Too much pride
will destroy you.

19 You are better off
to be humble and poor
than to get rich
from what you take by force.

20 If you know what you're doing, t
you will prosper.
God blesses everyone
who trusts him.

21 Good judgment proves
that you are wise,
and if you speak kindly,
you can teach others.

22 Good sense is a fountain
that gives life,
but fools are punished
by their foolishness.

23 You can persuade others
if you are wise
and speak sensibly.

24 Kind words are like honey—
they cheer you up
and make you feel strong.

25  t Sometimes what seems right
is really a road to death.

26 The hungrier you are,
the harder you work.

27 Worthless people plan trouble.
Even their words burn
like a flaming fire.

28  t Gossip is no good!
It causes hard feelings
and comes between friends.

29 Don't trust violent people.
They will mislead you
to do the wrong thing.

30 When someone winks
or grins behind your back,
trouble is on the way.

31 Gray hair is a glorious crown
worn by those
who have lived right.

32 Controlling your temper
is better than being a hero
who captures a city.

33 We make our own decisions,
but the [Lord] alone
determines what happens.