Proverbs 16:16-23

New American Standard Bible

¹⁶ How much ^(A)better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
¹⁷ The ^(B)highway of the upright is to turn away from evil;
One who watches his way protects his ^[a]life.
^18 (C)Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
¹⁹ It is better to be ^(D)humble in spirit with the needy
Than to ^(E)divide the spoils with the proud.
²⁰ One who pays attention to the word will ^(F)find good,
And ^(G)blessed is one who trusts in the Lord.
²¹ The ^(H)wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweetness of ^[b]speech ^(I)increases ^[c]persuasiveness.
²² Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it,
But the discipline of fools is foolishness.
²³ The ^(J)heart of the wise instructs his mouth
And adds ^[d]persuasiveness to his lips.