Proverbs 16:8-27

⁸He that seeks the Lord shall find knowledge with righteousness: and they that rightly seek him shall find peace.

⁹All the works of the Lord are done with righteousness; and the ungodly man is kept for the evil day.

¹⁰There is an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgment.

¹¹The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.

¹²An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.

¹³Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.

¹⁴The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.

¹⁵The son of a king is in the light of life; and they that are in favour with him are as a cloud of latter rain.

¹⁶The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen than silver.

¹⁷The paths of life turn aside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are length of life. He that receives instruction shall be in prosperity; and he that regards reproofs shall be made wise. He that keeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he that loves his life will spare his mouth.

¹⁸Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.

¹⁹Better is a meek-spirited man with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud.

²⁰He who is skilful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.

²¹Men call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.

²²Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.

²³The heart of the wise will discern the things which proceed from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.

²⁴Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.

²⁵There are ways that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of hell.

²⁶A man who labours, labours for himself, and drives from him his own ruin.

²⁷But the perverse bears destruction upon his own mouth: a foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips.