Proverbs 16:1-24 - Wisdom's Blessings Come From The Lord
1 To mortals [belong] the plans of the heart, but from Yahweh [comes] the answer of the tongue.
2 All the ways of a man [are] pure in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the spirit.
3 Commit your work to Yahweh, and your plans will be established.
4 All Yahweh has made [is] for his purpose, and even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 An abomination of Yahweh [are] all who are arrogant of heart; {rest assured}, he will not go unpunished.
6 By loyalty and faithfulness, iniquity will be covered over, and by fear of Yahweh {one turns} from evil.
7 When the ways of a man are pleasing [to] Yahweh, even his enemies he will cause to make peace with him.
8 Better is little with righteousness than great income with no justice.
9 The {mind} of a person will plan his ways, and Yahweh will direct his steps.
10 A decision is upon the lips of a king; in judgment his mouth will not sin.
11 A balance and scales of justice [belong] to Yahweh; all the weights of the bag [are] his work.
12 An abomination to kings [is] doing evil, for by righteousness the throne will be established.
13 The delight of kings [are] the lips of righteousness, and he who speaks what is upright he will love.
14 The wrath of a king [is] a messenger of death, but one who is wise will appease it.
15 In the light of the face of the king [there is] life, and his favor [is] like a cloud of spring rain.
16 Getting wisdom: {how much} better than gold! And getting understanding: it is chosen {over} silver.
17 The highway of the upright, it turns from evil, he who guards himself keeps his way.
18 Before destruction [comes] pride, and before a fall, a haughty spirit.
19 Better a lowly spirit with the poor than dividing the spoil with the proud.
20 He who is attentive to a matter will find goodness, and he who trusts in Yahweh, his own happiness.
21 The wise of heart is called perceptive, but he who is pleasant of lips will increase persuasiveness.
22 A fountain of life is wisdom for its owner, but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise will make his mouth judicious, and upon his lips, it will add persuasiveness.
24 Pleasant sayings [are] a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and healing to the bones.