Proverbs 16:16-30

English Standard Version

^16 (A)How much better to get wisdom than ^(B)gold!
    To get understanding is to be chosen rather than ^(C)silver.
¹⁷ The highway of the upright ^(D)turns aside from evil;
    whoever guards his way preserves his life.
^18 (E)Pride goes before destruction,
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.
^19 (F)It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
    than to ^(G)divide the spoil with the proud.
²⁰ Whoever gives thought to the word^{[a] (H)}will discover good,
    and blessed is he ^(I)who trusts in the Lord.
²¹ The wise of heart is called discerning,
    and sweetness of speech ^(J)increases persuasiveness.
²² Good sense is ^(K)a fountain of life to him who has it,
    but the instruction of fools is folly.
^23 (L)The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
    and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
^24 (M)Gracious words are like ^(N)a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and ^(O)health to the body.
²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but its end is the way to death.^[b]
26 A worker's appetite works for him;
    his ^(P)mouth urges him on.
^27 (Q)A worthless man plots evil,
    and his speech^[c] is like ^(R)a scorching fire.
^28 (S)A dishonest man spreads strife,
    and ^(T)a whisperer ^(U)separates close friends.
²⁹ A man of violence ^(V)entices his neighbor
    and leads him in a way that is not good.
³⁰ Whoever winks his eyes plans^{[d] (W)}dishonest things;
    he who ^(X)purses his lips brings evil to pass.