Proverbs 16:13-24

New International Version

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

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

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

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

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

¹⁸ Pride^(I) goes before destruction,
    a haughty spirit^(J) before a fall.^(K)

¹⁹ Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
    than to share plunder with the proud.

²⁰ Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,^[a](L)
    and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.^(M)

²¹ The wise in heart are called discerning,
    and gracious words promote instruction.^[b](N)

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

²³ The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,^(P)
    and their lips promote instruction.^[c](Q)

²⁴ Gracious words are a honeycomb,^(R)
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.^(S)