Proverbs 16:9-20

English Standard Version

^9 (A)The heart of man plans his way,
    but ^(B)the Lord establishes his steps.
^10 (C)An oracle is on the lips of a king;
    his mouth does not sin in judgment.
^11 (D)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 ^(E)the throne is established by righteousness.
^13 (F)Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
    and he loves him who speaks what is right.
^14 (G)A king's wrath is a messenger of death,
    and a wise man will ^(H)appease it.
^15 (I)In the light of a king's face there is life,
    and his ^(J)favor is like ^(K)the clouds that bring the spring rain.
^16 (L)How much better to get wisdom than ^(M)gold!
    To get understanding is to be chosen rather than ^(N)silver.
¹⁷ The highway of the upright ^(O)turns aside from evil;
    whoever guards his way preserves his life.
^18 (P)Pride goes before destruction,
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.
^19 (Q)It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
    than to ^(R)divide the spoil with the proud.
²⁰ Whoever gives thought to the word^{[a] (S)}will discover good,
    and blessed is he ^(T)who trusts in the Lord.