Proverbs 16 · Clearspring

The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD

¹The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.+ ²All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.+ ³Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.+ ⁴The LORD has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.+ ⁵Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; they shall certainly not be unpunished.+ ⁶By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.+ ⁷When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.+ ⁸Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.+ ⁹A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.+ ¹⁰Inspired judgements are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.+ ¹¹Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.+ ¹²It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.+ ¹³Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.+ ¹⁴The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.+ ¹⁵In the light of the king’s face is life. His favour is like a cloud of the spring rain.+ ¹⁶How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.+ ¹⁷The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.+ ¹⁸Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.+ ¹⁹It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.+ ²⁰He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.+ ²¹The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.+ ²²Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.+ ²³The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.+ ²⁴Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.+ ²⁵There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.+ ²⁶The appetite of the labouring man labours for him, for his mouth urges him on.+ ²⁷A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.+ ²⁸A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.+ ²⁹A man of violence entices his neighbour, and leads him in a way that is not good.+ ³⁰One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.+ ³¹Grey hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.+ ³²One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.+ ³³The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.+

The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD

Study Proverbs 16