Proverbs 16:10-21

New International Version

¹⁰The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
and his mouth does not betray justice.^(A)

¹¹Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
all the weights in the bag are of his making.^(B)

¹²Kings detest wrongdoing,
for a throne is established through righteousness.^(C)

¹³Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value the one who speaks what is right.^(D)

¹⁴A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,^(E)
but the wise will appease it.^(F)

¹⁵When a king’s face brightens, it means life;^(G)
his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.^(H)

¹⁶How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to get insight^(I) rather than silver!^(J)

¹⁷The highway of the upright avoids evil;
those who guard their ways preserve their lives.^(K)

¹⁸Pride^(L) goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit^(M) before a fall.^(N)

¹⁹Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.

²⁰Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,^[a]^(O)
and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.^(P)

²¹The wise in heart are called discerning,
and gracious words promote instruction.^[b]^(Q)

Proverbs 16:10-21

King James Version

¹⁰A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

¹¹A just weight and balance are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.

¹²It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

¹³Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

¹⁴The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

¹⁵In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

¹⁶How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

¹⁷The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

¹⁸Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

¹⁹Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

²⁰He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.

²¹The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

New International Version (NIV)