Proverbs 16

1The heart's preparations are man's, but the tongue's answer comes from Yahweh.

2All a man'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 made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of calamity.

5Every proud heart is an abomination to Yahweh; even hand to hand, he will not be acquitted.

6Favor and faithfulness atone for iniquity; the fear of Yahweh turns one from evil.

7When Yahweh delights in a man's ways, he even makes his enemies live at peace with him.

8Better a little with righteousness than abundant revenues without justice.

9A man's heart plans his path, but Yahweh directs his steps.

10An oracle is on the lips of the king; his mouth does not err in judgment.

11Fair scales and balances belong to Yahweh; every weight in the bag is his handiwork.

12Doing evil is detestable to kings, for righteousness establishes the throne.

13Kings desire righteous lips and love one who speaks uprightly.

14A king's anger is like messengers of death, but a wise man appeases it.

15In the light of a king's face is life, and his favor is like a cloud of latter rain.

16How much better to acquire wisdom than gold, and to acquire understanding rather than silver!

17The path of the upright is to turn aside from evil; the guardian of his soul is the guardian of his way.

18Pride precedes destruction, and a proud spirit precedes a fall.

19Better a lowly spirit with the afflicted and meek than to divide spoil with the proud.

20Whoever is discerning in a matter finds good; blessed is the one who trusts in Yahweh.

21The wise heart is called discerning, and sweetness of lips increases learning.

22Understanding is a spring of life to its possessors, but fools' discipline is folly.

23The wise heart instructs his mouth and adds learning to his lips.

24Pleasant sayings are honeycomb honey, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25There is a way right in a man's sight, but its end is the ways of death.

26The laborer's appetite labors for him, for his mouth constrains him.

27A worthless man digs up evil; his lips are like a scorching fire.

28A man of perverse ways stirs up strife; one who divides close friends.

29A violent man entices his companion and leads him along a path that is not good.

30Whoever squints his eyes to devise perverse schemes, pursing his lips, accomplishes evil.

31Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is found in the path of righteousness.

32Better a slow temper than a hero, and ruling one's spirit than seizing a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap, but every judgment of it is from Yahweh.