Proverbs 16:16-33

Christian Standard Bible

¹⁶ Get wisdom—
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding—
it is preferable to silver.^(A)

¹⁷ The highway of the upright^(B) avoids evil;
the one who guards his way protects his life.^(C)

¹⁸ Pride comes before destruction,
and an arrogant spirit before a fall.^(D)

¹⁹ Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble^[a](E)
than to divide plunder with the proud.^(F)

²⁰ The one who understands a matter finds success,^(G)
and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.^(H)

²¹ Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,
and pleasant speech^[b] increases learning.^(I)

²² Insight is a fountain of life^(J) for its possessor,
but the discipline of fools is folly.

²³ The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth;
it adds learning to his speech.^[c](K)

²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb:^(L)
sweet to the taste^[d] and health to the body.^[e](M)

²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a person,
but its end is the way to death.^(N)

²⁶ A worker’s appetite works for him
because his hunger^[f] urges him on.

²⁷ A worthless person digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.^(O)

²⁸ A contrary person spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.^(P)

²⁹ A violent person lures his neighbor,^(Q)
leading him on a path that is not good.^(R)

³⁰ The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;
the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.^(S)

³¹ Gray hair is a glorious crown;^(T)
it is found in the ways of righteousness.^(U)

³² Patience is better than power,
and controlling one’s emotions,^[g] than capturing a city.^(V)

³³ The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.^(W)