PROVERBS 16

1 The preparations of the heart belong to man: but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.⋮

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes: but the LORD weigheth the spirits.⋮

3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.⋮

4 The LORD hath made every thing for its own end: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.⋮

5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.⋮

6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.⋮

7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.⋮

8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.⋮

9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.⋮

10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth shall not transgress in judgment.⋮

11 A just balance and scales are the LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are his work.⋮

12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.⋮

13 Righteous lips are the delight or kings; and they love him that speaketh right.⋮

14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.⋮

15 In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.⋮

16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.⋮

17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.⋮

18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.⋮

19 Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the spoil with the proud.⋮

20 He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.⋮

21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.⋮

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the correction of fools is their folly.⋮

23 The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.⋮

24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.⋮

25 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.⋮

26 The appetite of the labouring man laboureth for him; for his mouth craveth it of him.⋮

27 A worthless man deviseth mischief: and in his lips there is as a scorching fire.⋮

28 A froward man scattereth abroad strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.⋮

29 A man of violence enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him in a way that is not good.⋮

30 He that shutteth his eyes, it is to devise froward things: he that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.⋮

31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, it shall be found in the way of righteousness.⋮

32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.⋮

33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.⋮