Proverbs 16:1-33 VOICE

[1] People go about making their plans, but the Eternal has the final word. [2] Even when you think you have good intentions, He knows your real motives. [3] Whatever you do, do it as service to Him, and He will guarantee your success. [4] The Eternal made everything for a reason. Even wrongdoers fit in His plans; troubled times await them. [5] He abhors arrogant people. Make no mistake about it! They will be punished! [6] The penalty of sin is removed by love and loyalty; and by devotion to the Eternal, evil is avoided. [7] When people make good choices, He is pleased; He even causes their enemies to live peacefully near them. [8] Better to have little and stand for what is right than to become rich by doing what is wrong. [9] People do their best making plans for their lives, but the Eternal guides each step. [10] The king makes a decision under divine inspiration, but he must never render an unfair judgment. [11] The Eternal requires that business be conducted honestly; He wants fairness in all your dealings. [12] When kings commit evil, it is despicable, because their thrones should be built on justice. [13] Kings admire those who tell the truth; they adore those who set the record straight. [14] A king's rage signals that people will die, but whoever is wise will pacify him. [15] If a king is smiling brightly, life will be granted; his favor is like a cloud swelled with the first spring rain. [16] How much better it is to receive wisdom than the riches of gold and to gain understanding over some silver prize! [17] The highway of the just bypasses evil; those who watch where they're going protect their lives from sin. [18] Pride precedes destruction; an arrogant spirit gives way to a nasty fall. [19] It is better to be humble and live among the poor, than to divide up stolen property with the proud. [20] Those devoted to instruction will prosper in goodness; those who trust in the Eternal will experience His favor. [21] The wise at heart have a reputation for understanding; pleasant words make the lips more persuasive. [22] Understanding for those who have it is a spring of life, but it is pointless to try and instruct a fool. [23] From a wise heart flow careful words; wise words make the lips more persuasive. [24] Pleasant words are like a honeycomb: they drip sweet food for life and bring health to the body. [25] Before every person lies a road that seems to be right, but at the end of that road death and destruction wait. [26] People work to stay alive, pressed daily by their need to eat. [27] Good-for-nothings conjure up evil ideas; their conversations fuel destructive fires. [28] Perverse people stir up contention; gossip makes best friends into enemies. [29] Violent people try to recruit their neighbors, wanting to lead them down the vile path of evil they have chosen. [30] Body language can expose a person's intentions: whoever winks the eye is planning perversity; whoever purses his lips is intent on evil. [31] Gray hair is a crown of honor, earned by living the right kind of life. [32] It is better to be a patient man than a mighty warrior, better to be someone who controls his temper than someone who conquers a city. [33] We may try to control the roll of the dice, but actually, the Eternal decides what they will determine.