Proverbs 16

16 ¹ The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue comes from our Father. ² All a man's ways are pure in his own eyes, but our Father weighs the motives. ³ Commit your works to our Father, and your plans will be established. ⁴ Our Father has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. ⁵ Everyone proud of heart is detestable to our Father; be assured, he will not go unpunished. ⁶ Loving devotion and faithfulness atone for iniquity, and the fear of our Father turns a person away from evil. ⁷ When a man's ways please our Father, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. ⁸ Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice. ⁹ The heart of man plans his way, but our Father establishes his steps. ¹⁰ A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not betray justice. ¹¹ Honest scales and balances belong to our Father; every weight and measure is his work. ¹² It is detestable for kings to do wickedness, for a throne is established through righteousness. ¹³ Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love the one who speaks what is right. ¹⁴ A king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it. ¹⁵ In the light of a king's face is life, and his favor is like a cloud bringing the spring rain. ¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold! Getting understanding is worth more than silver. ¹⁷ The highway of the upright turns away from evil; whoever guards his way protects his life. ¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. ¹⁹ Better to be lowly in spirit among the poor than to share the plunder with the proud. ²⁰ Whoever heeds the word will find good, and blessed is the one who trusts in our Father. ²¹ The wise of heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness. ²² Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, but fools are corrected by their own folly. ²³ The heart of the wise makes his speech wise and adds persuasiveness to his lips. ²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. ²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. ²⁶ A worker's appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on. ²⁷ A worthless man digs up evil, and on his lips is a scorching fire. ²⁸ A perverse man spreads strife, and a gossip separates close friends. ²⁹ A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a harmful path. ³⁰ Whoever winks his eyes plots perversity; whoever purses his lips is bent on evil. ³¹ Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in the way of righteousness. ³² Better a patient person than a mighty one, and one who rules his spirit than one who takes a city. ³³ The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from our Father.