Proverbs 16:1-33 NASB

[1] The plans of the heart belong to a person, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. [2] All the ways of a person are clean in his own sight, But the Lord examines the motives. [3] Commit your works to the Lord, And your plans will be established. [4] The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil. [5] Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Be assured, he will not go unpunished. [6] By mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing, And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil. [7] When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He causes even his enemies to make peace with him. [8] Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice. [9] The mind of a person plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. [10] A divine verdict is on the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment. [11] A just balance and scales belong to the Lord; All the weights of the bag are His concern. [12] It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, Because a throne is established on righteousness. [13] Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And one who speaks right is loved. [14] The fury of a king is like messengers of death; But a wise person will appease it. [15] In the light of a king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain. [16] How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. [17] The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; One who watches his way protects his life. [18] Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. [19] It is better to be humble in spirit with the needy Than to divide the spoils with the proud. [20] One who pays attention to the word will find good, And blessed is one who trusts in the Lord. [21] The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. [22] Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, But the discipline of fools is foolishness. [23] The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips. [24] Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. [25] There is a way which seems right to a person, But its end is the way of death. [26] A worker’s appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on. [27] A worthless person digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire. [28] A perverse person spreads strife, And a slanderer separates close friends. [29] A person of violence entices his neighbor And leads him in a way that is not good. [30] He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass. [31] A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. [32] One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city. [33] The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.