Proverbs 16

English Standard Version

1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. (Mt 10:19)2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.[1] (1Sa 16:7; Pr 12:15; Pr 21:2; Pr 24:12; Pr 30:12)3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. (Ps 37:5)4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. (Ex 9:16; Job 21:30; Ro 11:36)5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. (Pr 6:16; Pr 8:13; Pr 11:21; Pr 28:20; Lu 16:15)6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. (Job 28:28; Pr 14:16; Pr 16:17; Da 4:27)7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Ge 26:28; 2Ch 17:10)8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. (Pr 15:16)9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. (Ps 37:23; Pr 16:1; Pr 19:21; Pr 20:24; Jer 10:23)10 An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment. (1Ki 3:28)11 A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his work. (Pr 11:1)12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness. (Pr 20:28; Pr 25:5; Pr 29:14; Isa 16:5)13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right. (Pr 14:35; Pr 22:11)14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it. (Pr 19:12; Pr 20:2; Pr 25:15)15 In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain. (Job 29:23; Job 29:24; Ps 72:6; Pr 16:13)16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. (Pr 3:14; Pr 8:10; Pr 8:19; Pr 10:20)17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. (Pr 16:6)18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. (Pr 11:2)19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. (Ex 15:9; Pr 29:23; Isa 57:15)20 Whoever gives thought to the word[2] will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. (Ps 2:12; Pr 19:8)21 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. (Pr 16:23)22 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. (Pr 10:11)23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. (Ps 37:30; Mt 12:34)24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. (Ps 19:10; Pr 4:22; Pr 15:26)25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.[3]26 A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on. (Ec 6:7)27 A worthless man plots evil, and his speech[4] is like a scorching fire. (Pr 6:12; Pr 6:14; Pr 6:19; Jas 3:6)28 A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. (Pr 15:18; Pr 17:9; Pr 18:8; Pr 26:20; Pr 26:22)29 A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. (Pr 1:10)30 Whoever winks his eyes plans[5] dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass. (Pr 2:12; Pr 6:13)31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. (Pr 3:1; Pr 17:6; Pr 20:29)32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. (Pr 14:29; Pr 19:11; Pr 25:28)33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. (Pr 29:26; Ac 1:26)