Proverbs

1It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to govern the tongue.

2All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of spirits.

3Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed.

4The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day.

5Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice; and this is more acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices.

6By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

7When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.

8Better is a little with justice, than great revenues with iniquity.

9The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps.

10Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.

11Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all the weights of the bag.

12They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established by justice.

13Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right things shall be loved.

14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: and the wise man will pacify it.

15In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain.

16Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver.

17The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his way.

18Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.

19It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.

20The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is blessed.

21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words shall attain to greater things.

22Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness.

23The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.

24Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death.

26The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it.

27The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.

28A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes.

29An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way that is not good.

30He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth: evil to pass.

31Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.

32The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities.

33Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.

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.