Proverbs 16

1. We can make our own plans, 1 but the Lord gives the right answer.

2. People may be pure in their own eyes, 2 but the Lord examines their motives.

3. Commit your actions to the Lord, 3 and your plans will succeed.

4. The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, 4 even the wicked for a day of disaster.

5. The Lord detests the proud; 5 they will surely be punished.

6. Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. 6 By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.

7. When people’s lives please the Lord, 7 even their enemies are at peace with them.

8. Better to have little, with godliness, 8 than to be rich and dishonest.

9. We can make our plans, 9 but the Lord determines our steps.

10. The king speaks with divine wisdom; 10 he must never judge unfairly.

11. The Lord demands accurate scales and balances; 11 he sets the standards for fairness.

12. A king detests wrongdoing, 12 for his rule is built on justice.

13. The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; 13 he loves those who speak honestly.

14. The anger of the king is a deadly threat; 14 the wise will try to appease it.

15. When the king smiles, there is life; 15 his favor refreshes like a spring rain.

16. How much better to get wisdom than gold, 16 and good judgment than silver!

17. The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; 17 whoever follows that path is safe.

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

19. Better to live humbly with the poor 19 than to share plunder with the proud.

20. Those who listen to instruction will prosper; 20 those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

21. The wise are known for their understanding, 21 and pleasant words are persuasive.

22. Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, 22 but discipline is wasted on fools.

23. From a wise mind comes wise speech; 23 the words of the wise are persuasive.

24. Kind words are like honey— 24 sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

25. There is a path before each person that seems right, 25 but it ends in death.

26. It is good for workers to have an appetite; 26 an empty stomach drives them on.

27. Scoundrels create trouble; 27 their words are a destructive blaze.

28. A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; 28 gossip separates the best of friends.

29. Violent people mislead their companions, 29 leading them down a harmful path.

30. With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; 30 with a smirk, they plan their mischief.

31. Gray hair is a crown of glory; 31 it is gained by living a godly life.

32. Better to be patient than powerful; 32 better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

33. We may throw the dice,[a] 33 but the Lord determines how they fall.

Footnotes:
a. 16:33: Hebrew We may cast lots.