Proverbs 16:11-22

English Standard Version

^11 (A)A just balance and scales are the Lord's;
    all the weights in the bag are his work.
¹² It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
    for ^(B)the throne is established by righteousness.
^13 (C)Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
    and he loves him who speaks what is right.
^14 (D)A king's wrath is a messenger of death,
    and a wise man will ^(E)appease it.
^15 (F)In the light of a king's face there is life,
    and his ^(G)favor is like ^(H)the clouds that bring the spring rain.
^16 (I)How much better to get wisdom than ^(J)gold!
    To get understanding is to be chosen rather than ^(K)silver.
¹⁷ The highway of the upright ^(L)turns aside from evil;
    whoever guards his way preserves his life.
^18 (M)Pride goes before destruction,
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.
^19 (N)It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
    than to ^(O)divide the spoil with the proud.
²⁰ Whoever gives thought to the word^{[a] (P)}will discover good,
    and blessed is he ^(Q)who trusts in the Lord.
²¹ The wise of heart is called discerning,
    and sweetness of speech ^(R)increases persuasiveness.
²² Good sense is ^(S)a fountain of life to him who has it,
    but the instruction of fools is folly.