Proverbs 16:18-25

New American Standard Bible

^18 (A)Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
¹⁹ It is better to be ^(B)humble in spirit with the needy
Than to ^(C)divide the spoils with the proud.
²⁰ One who pays attention to the word will ^(D)find good,
And ^(E)blessed is one who trusts in the Lord.
²¹ The ^(F)wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweetness of ^[a]speech ^(G)increases ^[b]persuasiveness.
²² Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it,
But the discipline of fools is foolishness.
²³ The ^(H)heart of the wise instructs his mouth
And adds ^[c]persuasiveness to his lips.
^24 (I)Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and ^(J)healing to the bones.
^25 (K)There is a way which seems right to a person,
But its end is the way of death.