Proverbs 16:8-17

New International Version

⁸Better a little with righteousness
than much gain^(A) with injustice.^(B)

⁹In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.^(C)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Proverbs 16:8-17

King James Version

⁸Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

⁹A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

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.

New International Version (NIV)