22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.
But the correction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
And adds learning to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of (A)death.

26 The person who labors, labors for himself,
For his hungry mouth drives (B)him on.

27 [a]An ungodly man digs up evil,
And it is on his lips like a burning (C)fire.
28 A perverse man sows strife,
And (D)a whisperer separates the best of friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor,
And leads him in a way that is not good.
30 He winks his eye to devise perverse things;
He [b]purses his lips and brings about evil.

31 (E)The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.

32 (F)He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:27 Lit. A man of Belial
  2. Proverbs 16:30 Lit. compresses

22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,(A)
    but folly brings punishment to fools.

23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,(B)
    and their lips promote instruction.[a](C)

24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,(D)
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.(E)

25 There is a way that appears to be right,(F)
    but in the end it leads to death.(G)

26 The appetite of laborers works for them;
    their hunger drives them on.

27 A scoundrel(H) plots evil,
    and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.(I)

28 A perverse person stirs up conflict,(J)
    and a gossip separates close friends.(K)

29 A violent person entices their neighbor
    and leads them down a path that is not good.(L)

30 Whoever winks(M) with their eye is plotting perversity;
    whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor;(N)
    it is attained in the way of righteousness.

32 Better a patient person than a warrior,
    one with self-control than one who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast(O) into the lap,
    but its every decision(P) is from the Lord.(Q)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive