Proverbs 16:1-15

Modern English Version

16 The preparations of the heart belong to man,
    but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

² All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes,
    but the Lord weighs the spirit.

³ Commit your works to the Lord,
    and your thoughts will be established.

⁴ The Lord has made all things for Himself,
    yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

⁵ Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
    be assured, he will not be unpunished.

⁶ By mercy and truth iniquity is purged;
    and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

⁷ When a man’s ways please the Lord,
    He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

⁸ Better is a little with righteousness
    than great revenues with injustice.

⁹ A man’s heart devises his way,
    but the Lord directs his steps.

¹⁰ A divine sentence is in the lips of the king;
    his mouth does not transgress in judgment.

¹¹ A just weight and balance belong to the Lord;
    all the weights of the bag are His work.

¹² It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness,
    for the throne is established by righteousness.

¹³ Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
    and they love him who speaks right.

¹⁴ The wrath of a king is as messengers of death,
    but a wise man will pacify it.

¹⁵ In the light of the king’s countenance is life,
    and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.