NETtext - Proverbs - 16

16:1  The intentions of the heart belong to a man, but the answer of the tongue comes from the LORD.

16:2  All a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives.

16:3  Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

16:4  The LORD works everything for its own ends - even the wicked for the day of disaster.

16:5  The LORD abhors every arrogant person; rest assured that they will not go unpunished.

16:6  Through loyal love and truth iniquity is appeased; through fearing the LORD one avoids evil.

16:7  When a person's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he even reconciles his enemies to himself.

16:8  Better to have a little with righteousness than to have abundant income without justice.

16:9  A person plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.

16:10  The divine verdict is in the words of the king, his pronouncements must not act treacherously against justice.

16:11  Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are his handiwork.

16:12  Doing wickedness is an abomination to kings, because a throne is established in righteousness.

16:13  The delight of kings is righteous counsel, and they love the one who speaks uprightly.

16:14  A king's wrath is like a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.

16:15  In the light of the king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds of the spring rain.

16:16  How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.

16:17  The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; the one who guards his way safeguards his life.

16:18  Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

16:19  It is better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoils with the proud.

16:20  The one who deals wisely in a matter will find success, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.

16:21  The one who is wise in heart is called discerning, and kind speech increases persuasiveness.

16:22  Insight is like a life-giving fountain to the one who possesses it, but folly leads to the discipline of fools.

16:23  A wise person's heart makes his speech wise and it adds persuasiveness to his words.

16:24  Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

16:25  There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death.

16:26  A laborer's appetite works on his behalf, for his hunger urges him to work.

16:27  A wicked scoundrel digs up evil, and his slander is like a scorching fire.

16:28  A perverse person spreads dissension, and a gossip separates the closest friends.

16:29  A violent person entices his neighbor, and leads him down a path that is terrible.

16:30  The one who winks his eyes devises perverse things, and one who compresses his lips brings about evil.

16:31  Gray hair is like a crown of glory; it is attained in the path of righteousness.

16:32  Better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior, and one who controls his temper is better than one who captures a city.

16:33  The dice are thrown into the lap, but their every decision is from the LORD.