Proverbs - 16

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1 T he plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.

2 A ll the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Yahweh weighs the motives.

3 C ommit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.

4 Y ahweh has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5 E veryone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: they shall certainly not be unpunished.

6 B y mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.

7 W hen a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 B etter is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.

9 A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.

10 I nspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.

11 H onest balances and scales are Yahweh’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.

12 I t is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.

13 R ighteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.

14 T he king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

15 I n the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.

16 H ow much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

17 T he highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

18 P ride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 I t is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.

20 H e who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.

21 T he wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.

22 U nderstanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.

23 T he heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

24 P leasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25 T here is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

26 T he appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.

27 A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.

28 A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.

29 A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.

30 O ne who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.

31 G ray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.

32 O ne who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

33 T he lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.