Proverbs 16

16 ¹The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue comes from our Father. ²All a man's ways are pure in his own eyes, but our Father weighs the motives. ³Commit your works to our Father, and your plans will be established. ⁴Our Father has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. ⁵Everyone proud of heart is detestable to our Father; be assured, he will not go unpunished. ⁶Loving devotion and faithfulness atone for sin, and the fear of our Father turns a person away from evil. ⁷When a man's ways please our Father, our Father makes even the man's enemies live at peace with him. ⁸Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice. ⁹The heart of man plans his way, but our Father establishes his steps. ¹⁰A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not betray justice. ¹¹Honest scales and balances belong to our Father; every weight and measure is his work. ¹²It is detestable for kings to do wickedness, for a throne is established through righteousness. ¹³Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love the one who speaks what is right. ¹⁴A king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it. ¹⁵In the light of a king's face is life, and his favor is like a cloud bringing the spring rain. ¹⁶How much better to get wisdom than gold! Getting understanding is worth more than silver. ¹⁷The highway of the upright turns away from evil; whoever guards his way protects his life. ¹⁸Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. ¹⁹Better to be lowly in spirit among the poor than to share the plunder with the proud. ²⁰Whoever heeds the word will find good, and blessed is the one who trusts in our Father. ²¹The wise of heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness. ²²Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, but fools are corrected by their own foolishness. ²³The heart of the wise makes his speech wise and adds persuasiveness to his lips. ²⁴Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. ²⁵There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. ²⁶A worker's appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on. ²⁷A worthless man digs up evil, and on his lips is a scorching fire. ²⁸A perverse man spreads strife, and a gossip separates close friends. ²⁹A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a harmful path. ³⁰Whoever winks his eyes plots perversity; whoever purses his lips is bent on evil. ³¹Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in the way of righteousness. ³²Better a patient person than a mighty one, and one who rules his spirit than one who takes a city. ³³The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from our Father.