PROVERBS 16:4-29

⁴The LORD hath made every thing for its own end: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

⁵Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

⁶By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

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

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

⁹A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

¹⁰A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth shall not transgress in judgment.

¹¹A just balance and scales are the LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are his work.

¹²It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

¹³Righteous lips are the delight or kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

¹⁴The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

¹⁵In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

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

¹⁷The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

¹⁸Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

¹⁹Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

²⁰He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

²¹The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

²²Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the correction of fools is their folly.

²³The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

²⁴Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

²⁵There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

²⁶The appetite of the labouring man laboureth for him; for his mouth craveth it of him.

²⁷A worthless man deviseth mischief: and in his lips there is as a scorching fire.

²⁸A froward man scattereth abroad strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

²⁹A man of violence enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him in a way that is not good.