Proverbs 16:1-33 NET

[1] The intentions of the heart belong to a man, but the answer of the tongue comes from the LORD. [2] All a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives. [3] Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established. [4] The LORD has worked everything for his own ends-even the wicked for the day of disaster. [5] The LORD abhors every arrogant person; rest assured that they will not go unpunished. [6] Through loyal love and truth iniquity is appeased; through fearing the LORD one avoids evil. [7] When a person's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he even reconciles his enemies to himself. [8] Better to have a little with righteousness than to have abundant income without justice. [9] A person plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps. [10] The divine verdict is in the words of the king, his pronouncements must not act treacherously against justice. [11] Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are his handiwork. [12] Doing wickedness is an abomination to kings, because a throne is established in righteousness. [13] The delight of a king is righteous counsel, and he will love the one who speaks uprightly. [14] A king's wrath is like a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it. [15] In the light of the king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds of the spring rain. [16] How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver. [17] The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; the one who guards his way safeguards his life. [18] Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. [19] It is better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoils with the proud. [20] The one who deals wisely in a matter will find success, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD. [21] The one who is wise in heart is called discerning, and kind speech increases persuasiveness. [22] Insight is like a life-giving fountain to the one who possesses it, but folly leads to the discipline of fools. [23] A wise person's heart makes his speech wise and it adds persuasiveness to his words. [24] Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. [25] There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death. [26] A laborer's appetite has labored for him, for his hunger has pressed him to work. [27] A wicked scoundrel digs up evil, and his slander is like a scorching fire. [28] A perverse person spreads dissension, and a gossip separates the closest friends. [29] A violent person entices his neighbor, and then leads him down a path that is terrible. [30] The one who winks his eyes devises perverse things, and one who compresses his lips has accomplished evil. [31] Gray hair is like a crown of glory; it is attained in the path of righteousness. [32] Better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior, and one who controls his temper is better than one who captures a city. [33] The dice are thrown into the lap, but their every decision is from the LORD.