69 lines
2.8 KiB
Markdown
69 lines
2.8 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 16
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1 The reflections of the heart belong to mankind,
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but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
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2 All a person’s ways seem right to him,
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but the Lord weighs motives.
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3 Commit your activities to the Lord,
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and your plans will be established.
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4 The Lord has prepared everything for his purpose—
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even the wicked for the day of disaster.
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5 Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord;
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be assured, he will not go unpunished.
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6 Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,
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and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.
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7 When a person’s ways please the Lord,
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he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
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8 Better a little with righteousness
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than great income with injustice.
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9 A person’s heart plans his way,
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but the Lord determines his steps.
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10 God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;
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his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.
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11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
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all the weights in the bag are his concern.
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12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,
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since a throne is established through righteousness.
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13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight,
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and he loves one who speaks honestly.
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14 A king’s fury is a messenger of death,
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but a wise person appeases it.
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15 When a king’s face lights up, there is life;
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his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.
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16 Get wisdom—
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how much better it is than gold!
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And get understanding—
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it is preferable to silver.
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17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
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the one who guards his way protects his life.
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18 Pride comes before destruction,
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and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
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19 Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble
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than to divide plunder with the proud.
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20 The one who understands a matter finds success,
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and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.
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21 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,
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and pleasant speech increases learning.
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22 Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor,
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but the discipline of fools is folly.
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23 The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth;
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it adds learning to his speech.
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24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb:
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sweet to the taste and health to the body.
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25 There is a way that seems right to a person,
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but its end is the way to death.
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26 A worker’s appetite works for him
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because his hunger urges him on.
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27 A worthless person digs up evil,
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and his speech is like a scorching fire.
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28 A contrary person spreads conflict,
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and a gossip separates close friends.
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29 A violent person lures his neighbor,
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leading him on a path that is not good.
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30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;
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the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.
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31 Gray hair is a glorious crown;
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it is found in the ways of righteousness.
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32 Patience is better than power,
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and controlling one’s emotions, than capturing a city.
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33 The lot is cast into the lap,
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but its every decision is from the Lord. |