Proverbs 16–18

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

2All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

3Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.

4The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.

5Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.

6By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.

7When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

8Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.

9A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

10A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.

11Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.

12Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.

13Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.

14The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

15When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

16How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

17The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.

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

19It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

21The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.

22Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.

23The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth 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 because his hunger drives him onward.

27A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

28A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.

29A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.

30He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.

32He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

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

1Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife.

2A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers.

3A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

4A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.

5He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.

6Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of a son is his father.

7Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!

8A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.

9Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.

10A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.

11An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.

13If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house.

14To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.

15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous— both are detestable to the LORD.

16Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?

17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.

19He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction.

20The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.

21A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.

22A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

23A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.

24Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

25A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.

26It is surely not good to punish the innocent or to flog a noble for his honesty.

27A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.

28Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.

1He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.

2A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.

3With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.

4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

5Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.

6A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.

7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.

9Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.

10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

11A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.

12Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

13He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.

14The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?

15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.

16A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.

17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.

19An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.

20From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

21Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

22He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.

23The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.

24A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.