Proverbs 16:2-22

²People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their intentions.

³Trust whatever you do to the Lord, and your plans will be successful.

⁴The Lord has a purpose in everything he does, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

⁵The Lord hates the arrogant. You can be certain of this: the wicked won't go unpunished.

⁶Sin is forgiven through trustworthy love and faithfulness; by honoring the Lord people are saved from evil.

⁷When the way that people live pleases the Lord, he makes even their enemies be at peace with them.

⁸Better to have just a little and be honest than to have a lot and be dishonest.

⁹You can plan in your mind what to do, but the Lord will guide you.

¹⁰The king is inspired in what he says; he is not unreliable in his decisions.

¹¹Accurate scales and balances are important to the Lord. He has determined all the weights in the bag.

¹²It's a terrible thing for a king to do evil, for his throne is based on doing right.

¹³People who tell the truth please kings; they love those who say what is right.

¹⁴An angry king can put you to death. If you're wise you'll try and calm him down.

¹⁵If the king is smiling, you'll live; his blessing is like the clouds that bring spring rain.

¹⁶Far better to get wisdom than gold; far better to choose knowledge than silver.

¹⁷The highway of the good leads away from evil. If you watch where you're going you'll save your life.

¹⁸Pride leads to destruction; and an arrogant spirit leads to a fall.

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.