Proverbs 16:13-25

Revised Standard Version

¹³ Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
    and he loves him who speaks what is right.
¹⁴ A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
    and a wise man will appease it.
¹⁵ In the light of a king’s face there is life,
    and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
¹⁶ To get wisdom is better^[a] than gold;
    to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
¹⁷ The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;
    he who guards his way preserves his life.
¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction,
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.
¹⁹ It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
    than to divide the spoil with the proud.
²⁰ He who gives heed to the word will prosper,
    and happy is he who trusts in the Lord.
²¹ The wise of heart is called a man of discernment,
    and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
²² Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it,
    but folly is the chastisement of fools.
²³ The mind of the wise makes his speech judicious,
    and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
²⁴ Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
²⁵ There is a way which seems right to a man,
    but its end is the way to death.^[b]