Proverbs Monthly
Chapter 16
1 A man may make plans in his heart,
but the Lord provides the words that his tongue utters.[a]
2 A man’s ways may seem honorable to him,
but the Lord weighs his motives.
3 Entrust everything that you do to the Lord,
and your plans will turn out to be successful.
4 The Lord has made everything for his own purposes,
even the wicked for the day of disaster.[b]
5 The Lord abhors the proud man;
be assured that such a man will not go unpunished.
6 Iniquity is expiated by kindness and faithfulness,
and by fear of the Lord[c] man turns away from evil.
7 When the Lord is pleased with someone’s conduct.
he makes even that man’s enemies friends with him.[d]
8 It is better to have little and be righteous
than to acquire great riches with injustice.
9 A man may plan his own course,
but the Lord makes his steps secure.[e]
The Justice of Kings[f]
10 The lips of a king utter inspired oracles;
he does not err when he pronounces judgment.
11 Accurate scales and balances belong to the Lord;
all the weights in the bag[g] are his concern.
12 Kings regard wrongdoing as abhorrent,
for their throne’s foundation depends upon righteousness.
13 Honest speech is the delight of a king,
and he loves a man who speaks truthfully.
14 A king’s wrath is like a messenger of death,
but one who is wise will appease it.
15 When a king’s face brightens it spells life,
and his favor is like a rain shower[h] in spring.
The Path of the Upright[i]
16 It is better to acquire wisdom rather than gold,
and more desirable to acquire understanding rather than silver.
17 The path of the upright avoids evil;
he who treads carefully preserves his life.
18 Pride goes before disaster,
and a haughty spirit goes before a fall.
19 It is better to live humbly among the lowly
than to share plunder with the proud.
20 The one who pays heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed[j] is he who trusts in the Lord.
21 A wise man is esteemed for being pleasant,
and his friendly words increase his influence.
22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who possesses it,
but folly is the punishment of fools.
23 A wise man’s heart guides his mouth,
and his lips increase learning.
24 Pleasing words are like a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and affording health to the body.[k]
25 Sometimes a path may seem to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.
26 The laborer’s appetite works on his behalf,
as hunger spurs him on.[l]
27 A scoundrel[m] concocts evil,
and his lips are like a scorching fire.
28 A perverse man sows strife,
and a tale-bearer destroys close friendships.
29 One who indulges in violence entices his neighbor
and leads him into evil ways.
30 One who winks his eye is plotting perverse deeds;
one who purses his lips is bent on mischief.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained by a righteous life.
32 It is better to be a patient man rather than a warrior,
one who controls his temper rather than one who captures a city.
33 The lot[n] is cast into the lap,
but the decision comes from the Lord.
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