Proverbs 16:1-24 - Wisdom's Blessings Come From The Lord

¹ The plans and reflections of the heart belong to man,
But the [wise] answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

²
All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions],
But the Lord weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth].

³
Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him],
And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].

⁴
The Lord has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked [according to their role] for the day of evil.

⁵
Everyone who is proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting and exceedingly offensive to the Lord;
Be assured he will not go unpunished.

⁶
By mercy and lovingkindness and truth [not superficial ritual] wickedness is cleansed from the heart,
And by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.

⁷
When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

⁸
Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income [gained] with injustice.

⁹
A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life],
But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.

¹⁰
A divine decision [given by God] is on the lips of the king [as His representative];
His mouth should not be unfaithful or unjust in judgment.

¹¹
A just balance and [honest] scales are the Lord’s;
All the weights of the bag are His concern [established by His eternal principles].

¹²
It is repulsive [to God and man] for kings to behave wickedly,
For a throne is established on righteousness (right standing with God).

¹³
Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And he who speaks right is loved.

¹⁴
The wrath of a king is like a messenger of death,
But a wise man will appease it.

¹⁵
In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud bringing the spring rain.

¹⁶
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

¹⁷
The highway of the upright turns away and departs from evil;
He who guards his way protects his life (soul).

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

¹⁹
It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly
Than to divide the spoil with the proud (haughty, arrogant).

²⁰
He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good,
And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the Lord.

²¹
The wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener].

²²
Understanding (spiritual insight) is a [refreshing and boundless] wellspring of life to those who have it,
But to give instruction and correction to fools is foolishness.

²³
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom]
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

²⁴
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.