Proverbs 16

The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD

1 People plan their moves, but the Lord gives the words.

2 All a man’s ways look clean to him, but the Lord checks the heart.

3 Commit your hustle to the Lord, and He will make your plans solid.

4 The Lord made everything for His purpose, even the wicked for the day of judgment.

5 The Lord hates proud hearts; best believe they will not go unpunished.

6 Love and loyalty wipe out sin; by fearing the Lord people turn from evil.

7 When your ways please the Lord, He even makes your enemies chill with you.

8 Better a little with righteousness than a big bag with wrongdoing.

9 A man plans his path, but the Lord directs his steps.

10 The king’s words carry divine weight; he better not mess up justice.

11 Honest scales and balances come from the Lord; He made the weights right.

12 Kings hate evil acts, because their throne built on righteousness.

13 Righteous lips please kings; they love those who speak truth.

14 A king’s wrath like a death threat, but a wise man cools it down.

15 When the king smiles, there is life; his favor like rain in harvest.

16 Better grab wisdom than gold; understanding worth more than silver.

17 The upright stay off the wicked path; guard your steps, it is your life.

18 Pride comes before destruction, arrogance before a fall.

19 Better be humble with the poor than share spoils with the proud.

20 Whoever pays attention to the Word prospers; blessed is the one who trusts the Lord.

21 The wise in heart get called discerning; sweet speech teaches better.

22 Good sense a fountain of life to those who got it, but fools get schooled by foolishness.

23 A wise heart guides the mouth; wise words bring learning.

24 Kind words sweet like honey, healing to the soul, strength to the bones.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end leads to death.

26 A worker’s hunger pushes him forward; his mouth drives him on.

27 A wicked man plots evil, his words a fire that burns.

28 A crooked man stirs beef, a gossip splits friends.

29 A violent man tricks his neighbor and leads him into bad moves.

30 He winks his eyes and signals with his lips, plotting mischief.

31 Gray hair is a crown of glory if it comes with a righteous life.

32 Better to be patient than powerful; better to rule yourself than conquer a city.

33 The dice get rolled, but the Lord decides every outcome.