Proverbs 16:8-17

English Standard Version

^8 (A)Better is a little with righteousness
    than great revenues with injustice.
^9 (B)The heart of man plans his way,
    but ^(C)the Lord establishes his steps.
^10 (D)An oracle is on the lips of a king;
    his mouth does not sin in judgment.
^11 (E)A just balance and scales are the Lord's;
    all the weights in the bag are his work.
¹² It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
    for ^(F)the throne is established by righteousness.
^13 (G)Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
    and he loves him who speaks what is right.
^14 (H)A king's wrath is a messenger of death,
    and a wise man will ^(I)appease it.
^15 (J)In the light of a king's face there is life,
    and his ^(K)favor is like ^(L)the clouds that bring the spring rain.
^16 (M)How much better to get wisdom than ^(N)gold!
    To get understanding is to be chosen rather than ^(O)silver.
¹⁷ The highway of the upright ^(P)turns aside from evil;
    whoever guards his way preserves his life.