Chapter 16

¹The plans of the heart belong to people, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

²All a person’s ways seem right in their own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.

³Commit your deeds to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

⁴The Lord has made all things for Himself, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

⁵All who are proud in heart are an abomination to the Lord; they will not go unpunished.

⁶By steadfast love and truth, iniquity is atoned; through fear of the Lord, people turn from evil.

⁷When a person’s ways please the Lord, He makes even their enemies live at peace with them.

⁸Better a little with righteousness than great wealth with injustice.

⁹The heart of a person plans their way, but the Lord directs their steps.

¹⁰An oracle is on the lips of a king; in judgment, their mouth does not err.

¹¹Honest scales and balances are the Lord’s; all weights in the bag are His work.

¹²It is an abomination for kings to do evil, for a throne is established by righteousness.

¹³Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and they love one who speaks truth.

¹⁴A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise person will appease it.

¹⁵In the light of a king’s face is life, and their favor is like a cloud of spring rain.

¹⁶To gain wisdom—how much better than gold! To choose understanding rather than silver!

¹⁷The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their way preserve their life.

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

¹⁹Better to be humble with the lowly than to divide spoil with the proud.

²⁰Those who heed instruction prosper; those who trust in the Lord are blessed.

²¹The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious speech increases learning.

²²Insight is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly is the punishment of fools.

²³The heart of the wise guides their mouth, and adds persuasion to their lips.

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

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

²⁶A worker’s appetite labors for them; their hunger drives them on.

²⁷A worthless person digs up evil, and their speech is like a scorching fire.

²⁸A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a whisperer separates close friends.

²⁹A violent person entices their neighbor, leading them on a harmful path.

³⁰Whoever winks the eye plans perverse things; whoever purses the lips brings evil to pass.

³¹Gray hair is a crown of glory, gained by a righteous life.

³²Better a patient person than a warrior, one who controls anger than one who captures a city.

³³The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. Proverbs 17 The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 17 – VKJV