16:1 To humans¹ belong the plans of the heart,²
but the answer that is given³ comes from⁴ the LORD.⁵
16:2 All the ways of a person⁶ seem right⁷ in his opinion,⁸
but the LORD weighs⁹ the motives¹⁰
16:3 Commit¹¹ your works¹² to the LORD,
and your plans will be established.¹³
16:4 The LORD works¹⁴ everything for its own ends—¹⁵
even the wicked for the day of disaster.¹⁶
16:5 Every proud heart¹⁷ is an abomination to the LORD.
One can be sure¹⁸ that they will not go unpunished.¹⁹
16:6 Through loyal love and truth²⁰ iniquity is atoned for;²¹
through the fear of the LORD one avoids²² evil.²³
16:7 When a person’s²⁴ ways are pleasing to the LORD,²⁵
he²⁶ also makes his enemies to be at peace with him.
16:8 Better to have a little with righteousness²⁷
than to have abundant income without justice.²⁸
16:9 A person²⁹ plans his course,³⁰
but the LORD directs³¹ his steps.³²
16:10 An oracle³³ comes³⁴ by the lips of the king;³⁵
his mouth must not act treacherously³⁶ against justice.
16:11 Honest scales and balances³⁷ are from the LORD;
all the weights³⁸ in the bag are His making.
16:12 Doing wickedness³⁹ is an abomination to kings,
because a throne⁴⁰ is established in righteousness.⁴¹
16:13 The delight of kings⁴² is righteous lips;
and they love the one who speaks⁴³ uprightly.⁴⁴
16:14 A king’s wrath⁴⁵ is a messenger of death,⁴⁶
but a wise person will appease it.⁴⁷
16:15 In the light of the face of the king⁴⁸ there is life,
and his favor is like the cloud of the latter rain.⁴⁹
16:16 How much better it is to acquire⁵⁰ wisdom than gold,
and to acquire understanding more choice⁵¹ than silver.
16:17 The highway⁵² of the upright is to turn⁵³ away from evil;
the one who guards⁵⁴ his way safeguards his life.⁵⁵
16:18 Pride⁵⁶ goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.⁵⁷
16:19 Better it is to be lowly in spirit⁵⁸ with the afflicted
than to share the spoil⁵⁹ with the proud.
16:20 The one who deals wisely⁶⁰ in a matter will find success,⁶¹
and blessed⁶² is the one who trusts in the LORD.⁶³
16:21 The wise in heart are called⁶⁴ discerning,
and the sweetness of the lips⁶⁵ increases learning.
16:22 Understanding⁶⁶ is a fountain of life⁶⁷ to the one who has it,
but the discipline⁶⁸ of fools is folly.
16:23 The heart of a wise person makes what he says wise,⁶⁹
and upon his lips he increases learning.⁷⁰
16:24 Pleasant words are a honey comb,⁷¹
sweet to the soul and healing⁷² to the bones.
16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man,⁷³
but after it are the ways of death.⁷⁴
16:26 The appetite⁷⁵ of a laborer⁷⁶ labors for him;
for his hunger urges him to work.⁷⁷
16:27 A wicked scoundrel⁷⁸ digs up⁷⁹ evil,
and upon his lips⁸⁰ it is like a scorching fire.⁸¹
16:28 A perverse person⁸² spreads dissension,
and a gossip separates close friends.⁸³
16:29 A violent person⁸⁴ entices⁸⁵ his neighbor
and leads him in a way that is not good.⁸⁶
16:30 One winks his eyes⁸⁷ to devise perverse things;
one who compresses his lips⁸⁸ brings about⁸⁹ evil.
16:31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;⁹⁰
it is attained⁹¹ in the way of righteousness.⁹²
16:32 Better to be slow to anger⁹³ than a fighter,
and one who rules his temper than captures a city.⁹⁴
16:33 The lot is cast into the lap,⁹⁵
but the whole decision⁹⁶ is from the LORD.⁹⁷