16:1  To man belong the plans of the heart,
but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.

16:2  All a man's ways seem innocent to him,
but motives are weighed by the LORD.

16:3  Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed.

16:4  The LORD works out everything for his own ends—
even the wicked for a day of disaster.

16:5  The LORD detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

16:6  Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.

16:7  When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD,
he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

16:8  Better a little with righteousness
than much gain with injustice.

16:9  In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.

16:10  The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
and his mouth should not betray justice.

16:11  Honest scales and balances are from the LORD;
all the weights in the bag are of his making.

16:12  Kings detest wrongdoing,
for a throne is established through righteousness.

16:13  Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value a man who speaks the truth.

16:14  A king's wrath is a messenger of death,
but a wise man will appease it.

16:15  When a king's face brightens, it means life;
his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

16:16  How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to choose understanding rather than silver!

16:17  The highway of the upright avoids evil;
he who guards his way guards his life.

16:18  Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.

16:19  Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.

16:20  Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

16:21  The wise in heart are called discerning,
and pleasant words promote instruction.

16:22  Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it,
but folly brings punishment to fools.

16:23  A wise man's heart guides his mouth,
and his lips promote instruction.

16:24  Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

16:25  There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.

16:26  The laborer's appetite works for him;
his hunger drives him on.

16:27  A scoundrel plots evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.

16:28  A perverse man stirs up dissension,
and a gossip separates close friends.

16:29  A violent man entices his neighbor
and leads him down a path that is not good.

16:30  He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity;
he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

16:31  Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
it is attained by a righteous life.

16:32  Better a patient man than a warrior,
a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

16:33  The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the LORD.