ProverbsChapter 16

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¹A person makes plans in his heart.
But the answer that comes from the tongue is from the LORD. ²All of a man's ways seem pure to him.
But the LORD weighs his reasons. ³Give your work to the LORD,
and your plans will succeed. ⁴The LORD has made everything for his purpose.
He has even made the wicked for the day of disaster. ⁵The LORD hates everyone who is proud in heart.
You can be sure they will not escape punishment. ⁶Sin is paid for by faithful love and faithfulness.
By the fear of the LORD, a person turns away from evil. ⁷When a man's ways please the LORD,
he makes even that man's enemies live at peace with him. ⁸It is better to have a little and do what is right
than to gain a lot by being unfair. ⁹A man plans his path in his heart.
But the LORD decides his steps. ¹⁰A ruling from God is on the lips of a king.
His mouth must not turn against justice. ¹¹Honest scales and balances come from the LORD.
All the weights in the bag are his concern. ¹²Kings should hate doing wicked things,
because a throne is made strong by doing what is right. ¹³Kings are pleased by lips that speak what is right.
They love the one who speaks honestly. ¹⁴A king's anger is a messenger of death.
But a wise man will calm it down. ¹⁵When a king's face lights up, there is life.
His favor is like a rain cloud in spring. ¹⁶It is so much better to get wisdom than gold!
To gain understanding is better than silver. ¹⁷The road of good people leads away from evil.
Whoever guards his path keeps his life safe. ¹⁸Pride goes before destruction.
A proud spirit comes before a fall. ¹⁹It is better to be humble in spirit among humble people
than to share stolen goods with the proud. ²⁰Whoever listens to teaching will do well.
Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD. ²¹People with wise hearts are known for good sense.
Kind words help others learn. ²²Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it.
But fools are punished by their own foolishness. ²³A wise man's heart teaches his mouth what to say.
It makes his words more convincing. ²⁴Kind words are like honey from the comb.
They are sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. ²⁵There is a way that seems right to a man.
But in the end it leads to death. ²⁶A worker's hunger makes him work hard.
His empty stomach pushes him on. ²⁷A worthless man digs up trouble.
His words are like a burning fire. ²⁸A twisted man stirs up fights.
A gossip splits up close friends. ²⁹A violent man tempts his neighbor.
He leads him down a path that is not good. ³⁰The one who winks his eye is planning something twisted.
The one who presses his lips together is set on evil. ³¹Gray hair is a crown of glory.
It is gained by living the right way. ³²It is better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior.
It is greater to control your temper than to capture a city. ³³The lot is thrown into the lap.
But every answer it gives is from the LORD.