1The reflections of the heart belong to mankind,
2All a person’s ways seem right to him,
3Commit your activities to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.16:3 Ps 37:4–5
4The Lord has prepared everything for his purpose —
even the wicked for the day of disaster.16:4 Ex 9:16; Rm 9:21–22
7When a person’s ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.16:7 2Ch 17:10
8Better a little with righteousness
than great income with injustice.16:8 Ps 37:16; Pr 15:16–17; 16:19; 28:6
9A person’s heart plans his way,
his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.16:10 2Sm 23:2–3; Pr 18:14–15
11Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
13Righteous lips are a king’s delight,
and he loves one who speaks honestly.
14A king’s fury is a messenger of death,
but a wise person appeases it.16:14 Ec 10:4
15When a king’s face lights up, there is life;
his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.
16Get wisdom —
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding —
the one who guards his way protects his life.16:17 Pr 2:11–13; 15:19
18Pride comes before destruction,
than to divide plunder with the proud.16:19 Ex 15:9; Ps 37:16; Pr 1:13–14; 15:16–17; 16:8
21Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,
but the discipline of fools is folly.
23The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth;
it adds learning to his speech.16:23 Lit learning upon his lips16:23 Ps 37:30; Pr 1:5; 9:9; Mt 12:34
sweet to the taste16:24 Lit throat and health to the body.16:24 Lit bones16:24 Pr 4:22; 15:30; 25:13
25There is a way that seems right to a person,
26A worker’s appetite works for him
because his hunger16:26 Lit mouth urges him on.
27A worthless person digs up evil,
28A contrary person spreads conflict,
30The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;
the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.16:30 Ps 35:19; Pr 6:12–14; 10:10
it is found in the ways of righteousness.16:31 Pr 3:1–2
32Patience is better than power,
and controlling one’s emotions,16:32 Lit and ruling over one’s spirit than capturing a city.16:32 Pr 25:15,28; 29:11
33The lot is cast into the lap,
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