16:1 To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
16:2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.
16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
16:4 The Lord works out everything to its proper end - even the wicked for a day of disaster.
16:5 The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
16:6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.
16:7 When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
16:8 Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
16:10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice.
16:11 Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making.
16:12 Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.
16:13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.
16:14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it.
16:15 When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!
16:17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
16:19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
16:20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,* and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. / *Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good
16:21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.* / *Or words make a person persuasive
16:22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.
16:23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.* / *Or prudent and make their lips persuasive
16:24 Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
16:25 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
16:26 The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.
16:27 A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.
16:28 A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.
16:29 A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good.
16:30 Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
16:31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.
16:32 Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.