Proverbs

The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD

1The plans of the heart belong to man,but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.

2All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes,but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

3Commit your works to the LORDand your plans will be achieved.

4The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster.

5Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD;be assured that he will not go unpunished.

6By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.

7When a man’s ways please the LORD,He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

8Better a little with righteousnessthan great gain with injustice.

9A man’s heart plans his course,but the LORD determines his steps.

10A divine verdict is on the lips of a king;his mouth must not betray justice.

11Honest scales and balances are from the LORD;all the weights in the bag are His concern.

12Wicked behavior is detestable for kings,for a throne is established through righteousness.

13Righteous lips are a king’s delight,and he who speaks honestly is beloved.

14The wrath of a king is a messenger of death,but a wise man will pacify it.

15When a king’s face brightens, there is life;his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

16How much better to acquire wisdom than gold!To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

17The highway of the upright leads away from evil;he who guards his way protects his life.

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

19It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humblethan to divide the spoil with the proud.

20Whoever heeds instruction will find success,and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

21The wise in heart are called discerning,and pleasant speech promotes instruction.

22Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor,but the discipline of fools is folly.

23The heart of the wise man instructs his mouthand adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24Pleasant words are a honeycomb,sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25There is a way that seems right to a man,but its end is the way of death.

26A worker’s appetite works for himbecause his hunger drives him onward.

27A worthless man digs up evil,and his speechis like a scorching fire.

28A perverse man spreads dissension,and a gossip divides close friends.

29A violent man entices his neighborand leads him down a path that is not good.

30He who winks his eye devises perversity;he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

31Gray hair is a crown of glory;it is attained along the path of righteousness.

32He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior,and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap,but its every decision is from the LORD.

1Of man [are] arrangements of the heart, And from Jehovah an answer of the tongue.

2All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering the spirits.

3Roll unto Jehovah thy works, And established are thy purposes,

4All things hath Jehovah wrought for Himself, And also the wicked [worketh] for a day of evil.

5An abomination to Jehovah [is] every proud one of heart, Hand to hand he is not acquitted.

6In kindness and truth pardoned is iniquity, And in the fear of Jehovah Turn thou aside from evil.

7When a man's ways please Jehovah, even his enemies, He causeth to be at peace with him.

8Better [is] a little with righteousness, Than abundance of increase without justice.

9The heart of man deviseth his way, And Jehovah establisheth his step.

10An oath [is] on the lips of a king, In judgment his mouth trespasseth not.

11A just beam and balances [are] Jehovah's, His work [are] all the stones of the bag.

12An abomination to kings [is] doing wickedness, For by righteousness is a throne established.

13The delight of kings [are] righteous lips, And whoso is speaking uprightly he loveth,

14The fury of a king [is] messengers of death, And a wise man pacifieth it.

15In the light of a king's face [is] life, And his good-will [is] as a cloud of the latter rain.

16To get wisdom — how much better than gold, And to get understanding to be chosen than silver!

17A highway of the upright [is], 'Turn from evil,' Whoso is preserving his soul is watching his way.

18Before destruction [is] pride, And before stumbling — a haughty spirit.'

19Better is humility of spirit with the poor, Than to apportion spoil with the proud.

20The wise in any matter findeth good, And whoso is trusting in Jehovah, O his happiness.

21To the wise in heart is called, 'Intelligent,' And sweetness of lips increaseth learning.

22A fountain of life [is] understanding to its possessors, The instruction of fools is folly.

23The heart of the wise causeth his mouth to act wisely, And by his lips he increaseth learning,

24Sayings of pleasantness [are] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone.

25There is a way right before a man, And its latter end — ways of death.

26A labouring man hath laboured for himself, For his mouth hath caused [him] to bend over it.

27A worthless man is preparing evil, And on his lips — as a burning fire.

28A froward man sendeth forth contention, A tale-bearer is separating a familiar friend.

29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, And hath causeth him to go in a way not good.

30Consulting his eyes to devise froward things, Moving his lips he hath accomplished evil.

31A crown of beauty [are] grey hairs, In the way of righteousness it is found.

32Better [is] the slow to anger than the mighty, And the ruler over his spirit than he who is taking a city.

33Into the centre is the lot cast, And from Jehovah [is] all its judgment!