NAS - Proverbs Chapter 16 to 17

16 Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

¹The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. ² All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives. ³ Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established. ⁴The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil. ⁵ Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished. ⁶ By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil. ⁷ When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. ⁸ Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice. ⁹ The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. ¹⁰A divine decision is in the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment. ¹¹ A just balance and scales belong to the LORD; All the weights of the bag are His concern. ¹² It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, For a throne is established on righteousness. ¹³ Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And he who speaks right is loved. ¹⁴ The fury of a king is like messengers of death, But a wise man will appease it. ¹⁵ In the light of a king's face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain. ¹⁶ How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. ¹⁷ The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life. ¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. ¹⁹ It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud. ²⁰ He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. ²¹ The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. ²² Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the discipline of fools is folly. ²³ The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips. ²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. ²⁵ There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. ²⁶ A worker's appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on. ²⁷ A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire. ²⁸ A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends. ²⁹ A man of violence entices his neighbor And leads him in a way that is not good. ³⁰ He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass. ³¹ A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. ³² He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. ³³ The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.

17 Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

¹Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife. ² A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, And will share in the inheritance among brothers. ³ The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts. ⁴ An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. ⁵ He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished. ⁶ Grandchildren are the crown of old men, And the glory of sons is their fathers. ⁷ Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are lying lips to a prince. ⁸ A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers. ⁹ He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends. ¹⁰ A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool. ¹¹ A rebellious man seeks only evil, So a cruel messenger will be sent against him. ¹² Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly. ¹³ He who returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house. ¹⁴ The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out. ¹⁵ He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD. ¹⁶ Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense? ¹⁷ A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. ¹⁸A man lacking in sense pledges And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor. ¹⁹ He who loves transgression loves strife; He who raises his door seeks destruction. ²⁰ He who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil. ²¹ He who sires a fool does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy. ²² A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones. ²³ A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom To pervert the ways of justice. ²⁴ Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. ²⁵ A foolish son is a grief to his father And bitterness to her who bore him. ²⁶ It is also not good to fine the righteous, Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness. ²⁷ He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. ²⁸ Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.