67 lines
2.6 KiB
Markdown
67 lines
2.6 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 16
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1 We can make our own plans,
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but the Lord gives the right answer.
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2 People may be pure in their own eyes,
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but the Lord examines their motives.
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3 Commit your actions to the Lord,
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and your plans will succeed.
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4 The Lord has made everything for his own purposes,
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even the wicked for a day of disaster.
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5 The Lord detests the proud;
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they will surely be punished.
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6 Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin.
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By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.
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7 When people’s lives please the Lord,
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even their enemies are at peace with them.
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8 Better to have little, with godliness,
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than to be rich and dishonest.
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9 We can make our plans,
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but the Lord determines our steps.
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10 The king speaks with divine wisdom;
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he must never judge unfairly.
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11 The Lord demands accurate scales and balances;
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he sets the standards for fairness.
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12 A king detests wrongdoing,
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for his rule is built on justice.
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13 The king is pleased with words from righteous lips;
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he loves those who speak honestly.
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14 The anger of the king is a deadly threat;
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the wise will try to appease it.
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15 When the king smiles, there is life;
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his favor refreshes like a spring rain.
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16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
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and good judgment than silver!
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17 The path of the virtuous leads away from evil;
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whoever follows that path is safe.
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18 Pride goes before destruction,
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and haughtiness before a fall.
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19 Better to live humbly with the poor
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than to share plunder with the proud.
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20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper;
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those who trust the Lord will be joyful.
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21 The wise are known for their understanding,
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and pleasant words are persuasive.
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22 Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it,
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but discipline is wasted on fools.
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23 From a wise mind comes wise speech;
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the words of the wise are persuasive.
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24 Kind words are like honey—
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sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
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25 There is a path before each person that seems right,
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but it ends in death.
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26 It is good for workers to have an appetite;
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an empty stomach drives them on.
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27 Scoundrels create trouble;
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their words are a destructive blaze.
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28 A troublemaker plants seeds of strife;
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gossip separates the best of friends.
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29 Violent people mislead their companions,
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leading them down a harmful path.
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30 With narrowed eyes, people plot evil;
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with a smirk, they plan their mischief.
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31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;
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it is gained by living a godly life.
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32 Better to be patient than powerful;
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better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
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33 We may throw the dice,
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but the Lord determines how they fall. |