Proverbs 16 - ESV - BibliaCrista

1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but ¹the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

2 ²All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD ³ weighs the spirit.

3 ⁴Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

4 ⁵The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even ⁶the wicked for the day of trouble.

5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is ⁷an abomination to the LORD; ⁸be assured, he will not go unpunished.

6 By ⁹steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by ¹⁰the fear of the LORD one ¹¹turns away from evil.

7 When a man's ways please the LORD, ¹²he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 ¹³Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.

9 ¹⁴The heart of man plans his way, but ¹⁵the LORD establishes his steps.

10 ¹⁶An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.

11 ¹⁷A just balance and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his work.

12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for ¹⁸the throne is established by righteousness.

13 ¹⁹Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.

14 ²⁰A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will ²¹appease it.

15 ²²In the light of a king's face there is life, and his ²³favor is like ²⁴the clouds that bring the spring rain.

16 ²⁵How much better to get wisdom than ²⁶gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than ²⁷silver.

17 The highway of the upright ²⁸turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.

18 ²⁹Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 ³⁰It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to ³¹divide the spoil with the proud.

20 Whoever gives thought to the word^a³²will discover good, and blessed is he ³³who trusts in the LORD.

21 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech ³⁴increases persuasiveness.

22 Good sense is ³⁵a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.

23 ³⁶The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24 ³⁷Gracious words are like ³⁸a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and ³⁹health to the body.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.^b

26 A worker's appetite works for him; his ⁴⁰mouth urges him on.

27 ⁴¹A worthless man plots evil, and his speech^c is like ⁴²a scorching fire.

28 ⁴³A dishonest man spreads strife, and ⁴⁴a whisperer ⁴⁵separates close friends.

29 A man of violence ⁴⁶entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.

30 Whoever winks his eyes plans^d⁴⁷dishonest things; he who ⁴⁸purses his lips brings evil to pass.

31 ⁴⁹Gray hair is ⁵⁰a crown of glory; it ⁵¹is gained in a righteous life.

32 ⁵²Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

33 ⁵³The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is ⁵⁴from the LORD.

Proverbs 16 ESV