# Chapter 16
1. The reflections of the heart belong to mankind,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

2. All a person's ways seem right to him,
but the Lord weighs motives.

3. Commit your activities to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.

4. The Lord has prepared everything for his purpose--
even the wicked for the day of disaster.

5. Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.

6. Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,
and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.

7. When a person's ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8. Better a little with righteousness
than great income with injustice.

9. A person's heart plans his way,
but the Lord determines his steps.

10. God's verdict is on the lips of a king;
his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.

11. Honest balances and scales are the Lord's;
all the weights in the bag are his concern.

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

13. Righteous lips are a king's delight,
and he loves one who speaks honestly.

14. A king's fury is a messenger of death,
but a wise person appeases it.

15. When a king's face lights up, there is life;
his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

16. Get wisdom--
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding--
it is preferable to silver.

17. The highway of the upright avoids evil;
the one who guards his way protects his life.

18. Pride comes before destruction,
and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

19. Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble
than to divide plunder with the proud.

20. The one who understands a matter finds success,
and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.

21. Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,
and pleasant speech increases learning.

22. Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor,
but the discipline of fools is folly.

23. The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth;
it adds learning to his speech.

24. Pleasant words are a honeycomb:
sweet to the taste and health to the body.

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

26. A worker's appetite works for him
because his hunger urges him on.

27. A worthless person digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.

28. A contrary person spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.

29. A violent person lures his neighbor,
leading him on a path that is not good.

30. The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;
the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.

31. Gray hair is a glorious crown;
it is found in the ways of righteousness.

32. Patience is better than power,
and controlling one's emotions, than capturing a city.

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




