Proverbs 16:1-24 - Wisdom's Blessings Come From The Lord
1 People do the planning, but the end result is from the LORD.
2 Everything a person does seems pure in his own opinion, but the LORD weighs intentions.
3 Entrust your work to the LORD, and your planning will succeed.
4 The LORD made everything answerable to him, including the wicked at the time of trouble.
5 The LORD detests those who are proud; truly they will not go unpunished.
6 Iniquity is atoned for by gracious love and truth, and through fear of the LORD people turn from evil.
7 When a person's ways please the LORD, even his enemies will be at peace with him.
8 A little gain with righteousness is better than great income without justice.
9 A person plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.
10 When a king is ready to speak officially, what he says should not err with respect to justice.
11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; he made all the weights in the bag.
12 Kings detest wrongdoing, for through righteousness the throne is established.
13 Kings take pleasure in righteous speech; they treasure a person who speaks what is upright.
14 The king's wrath results in a death sentence, but whoever is wise will appease him.
15 When a king is pleased, there is life, and his favor is like a cloud that brings spring rain.
16 How much better than gaining gold is the acquisition of wisdom, the attainment of wisdom better than silver!
17 The road of the upright circumvents evil, and whoever watches how he lives preserves his life.
18 Pride precedes destruction; an arrogant spirit appears before a fall.
19 Better to be humble among the poor, than to share what is stolen with the proud.
20 Whoever listens to a word of instruction prospers, and anyone who trusts in the LORD is blessed.
21 The wise-hearted person is told to be discerning, and that pleasant speech promotes instruction.
22 Anyone who has understanding is a fountain of life, but foolishness brings punishment to fools.
23 A wise person's thoughts control his words, and his speech promotes instruction.
24 Pleasant words are honey from a honeycomb sweet to the soul and healing for the body.