Proverbs 16:1-19

¹The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.

²All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the motives.

³Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.

⁴Yahweh has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

⁵Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh; they shall certainly not be unpunished.

⁶By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.

⁷When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

⁸Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.

⁹A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.

¹⁰Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.

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

¹²It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.

¹³Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.

¹⁴The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

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

¹⁶How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

¹⁷The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

¹⁸Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

¹⁹It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.