Proverbs 16:17-33

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

¹⁷ The highway of the upright avoids evil;
    those who guard their way preserve their lives.
¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction,
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.
¹⁹ It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor
    than to divide the spoil with the proud.
²⁰ Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper,
    and happy are those who trust in the Lord.
²¹ The wise of heart is called perceptive,
    and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
²² Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it,
    but folly is the punishment of fools.
²³ The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious,
    and adds persuasiveness to their lips.
²⁴ Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
²⁵ Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right,
    but in the end it is the way to death.
²⁶ The appetite of workers works for them;
    their hunger urges them on.
²⁷ Scoundrels concoct evil,
    and their speech is like a scorching fire.
²⁸ A perverse person spreads strife,
    and a whisperer separates close friends.
²⁹ The violent entice their neighbors,
    and lead them in a way that is not good.
³⁰ One who winks the eyes plans^[a] perverse things;
    one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.
³¹ Gray hair is a crown of glory;
    it is gained in a righteous life.
³² One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
    and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.
³³ The lot is cast into the lap,
    but the decision is the Lord’s alone.