Proverbs 16:17-24

English Standard Version

¹⁷ The highway of the upright ^(A)turns aside from evil;
    whoever guards his way preserves his life.
^18 (B)Pride goes before destruction,
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.
^19 (C)It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
    than to ^(D)divide the spoil with the proud.
²⁰ Whoever gives thought to the word^{[a] (E)}will discover good,
    and blessed is he ^(F)who trusts in the Lord.
²¹ The wise of heart is called discerning,
    and sweetness of speech ^(G)increases persuasiveness.
²² Good sense is ^(H)a fountain of life to him who has it,
    but the instruction of fools is folly.
^23 (I)The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
    and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
^24 (J)Gracious words are like ^(K)a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and ^(L)health to the body.