Proverbs 16:19-33

¹⁹Better to have a humble spirit and live with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.

²⁰If you pay attention to wise instruction you will do well; you'll be happy if you trust in the Lord.

²¹If you think wisely you'll be called perceptive; if you speak pleasantly you'll be persuasive.

²²If you have good sense it will be a fountain of life to you, but stupid people are punished by their stupidity.

²³A wise mind makes sure to say sensible things; the words spoken are persuasive.

²⁴Kind words are like a honeycomb—they taste sweet and are healthy for the body.

²⁵There's a way that seems to be right, but in the end it's the way of death.

²⁶A good appetite helps workers—hunger encourages them.

²⁷Worthless people plot evil and their words burn like fire.

²⁸Quarrelsome people cause conflict, and a gossip comes between the closest friends.

²⁹Violent people lure their friends, and lead them in a direction that's not good for them.

³⁰People who give you a sly wink are plotting bad things; they purse their lips and make evil happen.

³¹Gray hair is a glorious crown; it's achieved by living right.

³²Better to be slow to anger than to be powerful, better to have self-control than to conquer a town.

³³The lot is thrown into the lap, but the Lord makes every decision.