Proverbs 16

1The plans of the heart belong to a person, but the answer of the tongue comes from Yahweh.

2All a person’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the spirits.

3Commit your works to Yahweh, and your plans will be established.

4Yahweh has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of disaster.

5Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to Yahweh; be sure of this: he will not go unpunished.

6By loyalty and faithfulness atonement is made for iniquity, and by the fear of Yahweh one turns away from evil.

7When a person’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies be at peace with him.

8Better a little with righteousness than a large income with injustice.

9A person’s heart plans their way, but Yahweh makes their steps firm.

10An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not betray justice.

11Honest scales and balances belong to Yahweh; all the weights in the bag are his work.

12Doing wickedness is detestable to kings, for a throne is established by righteousness.

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love the one who speaks what is right.

14A king’s fury brings messengers of death, but a wise person will appease it.

15In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like a cloud that brings the spring rain.

16How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is more desirable than silver.

17The highway of the upright turns away from evil; whoever guards his way protects his life.

18Pride comes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19Better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide plunder with the proud.

20Whoever gives heed to the word will find good, and blessed is the one who trusts in Yahweh.

21The wise in heart will be called discerning, and sweet speech adds to learning.

22Good sense is a fountain of life to those who have it, but the discipline of fools is folly.

23The heart of the wise makes his speech wise and adds learning to his lips.

24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.

26A worker’s appetite works for him, for his hunger drives him on.

27A worthless man digs up evil, and on his lips is something like a scorching fire.

28A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

29A violent person lures his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.

30Whoever shuts his eyes is plotting perversity; whoever presses his lips together has already brought evil about.

31Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the way of righteousness.

32Better to be slow to anger than to be a warrior, and to rule one’s spirit than to capture a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap, but every decision it gives is from Yahweh.