Proverbs 16

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The plans of the heart belong to man,

But the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.

All the ways of a man are pure in his own sight,

But Yahweh weighs the motives.

Commit your works to Yahweh

And your plans will be established.

Yahweh has made everything for its own purpose,

Even the wicked for the day of evil.

Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh;

Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for,

And by the fear of Yahweh one turns away from evil.

When a man’s ways are pleasing to Yahweh,

He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Better is a little with righteousness

Than great produce with injustice.

The heart of man plans his way,

But Yahweh directs his steps.

A divine decision is in the lips of the king;

His mouth should not err in judgment.

A just balance and scales belong to Yahweh;

All the weights of the bag are His work.

It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,

For in righteousness a throne is established.

Righteous lips are the delight of kings,

And he who speaks uprightly is loved.

The wrath of a king is like messengers of death,

But a wise man will atone for it.

In the light of a king’s face is life,

And his favor is like a cloud with the late rain.

How much better it is to acquire wisdom than fine gold!

And to acquire understanding is to be chosen above silver.

The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil;

He who guards his way keeps his soul.

Pride goes before destruction,

And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly

Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

He who considers the word will find good,

And how blessed is he who trusts in Yahweh.

The wise in heart will be called understanding,

And sweetness of lips increases learning.

Insight is a fountain of life to one who has it,

But the discipline of ignorant fools is folly.

The heart of the wise gives insight to his mouth

And increases learning to his lips.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb,

Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

There is a way which seems right to a man,

But its end is the way of death.

A worker’s appetite works for him,

For his mouth urges him on.

A vile man digs up evil,

And the words on his lips are like scorching fire.

A perverse man spreads strife,

And a whisperer separates close companions.

A man of violence entices his neighbor

And leads him in a way that is not good.

He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things;

He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

Gray hair is a crown of beauty;

It is found in the way of righteousness.

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

And he who rules his own spirit, than he who captures a city.

The lot is cast into the lap,

But its every judgment is from Yahweh.

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