Proverbs 16

1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, {is} from the LORD. {preparations: or, disposings} 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. {Commit: Heb. Roll} 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. {unpunished: Heb. held innocent} 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. {A divine...: Heb. Divination} 11 A just weight and balance {are} the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag {are} his work. {the weights: Heb. the stones} 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. {handleth...: or, understandeth a matter} 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. {teacheth: Heb. maketh wise} 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. {He...: Heb. The soul of him that} {craveth...: Heb. boweth unto him} 27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips {there is} as a burning fire. {An...: Heb. A man of Belial} 28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. {soweth: Heb. sendeth forth} 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.