The Book of Proverbs

Chapter 16

1. ¶ The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. 2. ¶ All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. 3. ¶ Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. 4. ¶ The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. 5. ¶ Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. 6. ¶ By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. 7. ¶ When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8. ¶ Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. 9. ¶ A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. 10. ¶ A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. 11. ¶ A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work. 12. ¶ It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. 13. ¶ Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. 14. ¶ The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. 15. In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. 16. ¶ How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! 17. ¶ The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. 18. ¶ Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19. ¶ Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20. ¶ He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. 21. ¶ The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. 22. ¶ Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. 23. ¶ The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24. ¶ Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. 25. ¶ There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 26. ¶ He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. 27. ¶ An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. 28. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. 29. ¶ A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. 30. He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. 31. ¶ The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. 32. ¶ He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. 33. ¶ The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.