Proverbs 16:25-17:6

English Standard Version

²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but its end is the way to death.^[a]
26 A worker's appetite works for him;
    his ^(A)mouth urges him on.
^27 (B)A worthless man plots evil,
    and his speech^[b] is like ^(C)a scorching fire.
^28 (D)A dishonest man spreads strife,
    and ^(E)a whisperer ^(F)separates close friends.
²⁹ A man of violence ^(G)entices his neighbor
    and leads him in a way that is not good.
³⁰ Whoever winks his eyes plans^{[c] (H)}dishonest things;
    he who ^(I)purses his lips brings evil to pass.
^31 (J)Gray hair is ^(K)a crown of glory;
    it ^(L)is gained in a righteous life.
^32 (M)Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
    and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
^33 (N)The lot is cast into the lap,
    but its every decision is ^(O)from the Lord.
17 ^(P)Better is a dry morsel with quiet
    than a house full of feasting^[d] with strife.
² A servant who deals wisely will rule over ^(Q)a son who acts shamefully
    and ^(R)will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
^3 (S)The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
    ^(T)and the Lord tests hearts.
⁴ An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
    and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
⁵ Whoever mocks the poor ^(U)insults his Maker;
    he who is ^(V)glad at calamity will not go ^(W)unpunished.
^6 (X)Grandchildren are ^(Y)the crown of the aged,
    and the glory of children is their fathers.