Proverbs 16:17-24

The Message

¹⁷ The road of right living bypasses evil;
    watch your step and save your life.

¹⁸ First pride, then the crash—
    the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.

¹⁹ It’s better to live humbly among the poor
    than to live it up among the rich and famous.

²⁰ It pays to take life seriously;
    things work out when you trust in God.

²¹ A wise person gets known for insight;
    gracious words add to one’s reputation.

²² True intelligence is a spring of fresh water,
    while fools sweat it out the hard way.

²³ They make a lot of sense, these wise folks;
    whenever they speak, their reputation increases.

²⁴ Gracious speech is like clover honey—
    good taste to the soul, quick energy for the body.