Proverbs 16

²People always think their own choices look fine. But God sees the truth inside every heart.

³Give your work and your plans to God. He will make your thoughts steady and sure.

⁴God made all things for His own purposes. Even those who do evil will face the day God has set.

⁵God hates a proud heart. Even if proud people join together, they will not escape His judgment.

⁶Mercy and truth clean away our sin and wrongdoing. Respecting God and His holiness turns people away from evil.

⁷When your life pleases God, He can even make your enemies calm and peaceful toward you.

⁸A small amount earned honestly is better than a huge amount earned by doing wrong.

⁹You can make your own plans. But God is the One who guides every step you take.

¹⁰A good king speaks with wisdom given by God. His judgments and decisions are right and true.

¹¹God cares about fair scales and honest measures. Being fair in trade and business belongs to Him.

¹²It is terrible when leaders do evil. Lasting rule and good authority can only be built on doing right.

¹³Good leaders love people who tell them the truth. Honest and right words delight those who lead well.

¹⁴An angry king is very dangerous — like messengers bringing death! But a wise person knows how to calm that anger.

¹⁵When a good king smiles on you, there is life and blessing in it. His favour is like welcome rain after a dry season.

¹⁶Getting wisdom is far better than getting gold. Knowing and understanding is worth more than silver.

¹⁷The path of a good person is to turn away from evil. Staying on that right path keeps your soul safe.

¹⁸Pride leads straight to destruction. A puffed-up spirit falls hard every time.

¹⁹It is better to be humble among simple and lowly people. That beats sharing riches with those who are proud.

²⁰The person who handles things wisely will find what is good. And the person who trusts in God will be truly happy.

²¹The wise person is known for good thinking and careful choices. Sweet and pleasant speech helps others learn more.

²²Understanding is like a well of fresh water — it keeps giving life. But when foolish people try to teach, they just spread foolishness.

²³A wise person's heart trains their mouth what to say. Their words keep adding to what others can learn.

²⁴Kind and gentle words are like honey. They are sweet inside and they actually make you healthier.

²⁵A path can look completely right to a person. But that same path can lead straight to death in the end.

²⁶A working person works for their own good. Their hunger drives them to keep going and not give up.

²⁷A wicked person works to stir up trouble and evil. Their words burn like fire and destroy everything they touch.

²⁸A troublemaker plants seeds of fighting wherever they go. A gossip can break apart the closest friendships.

²⁹A violent and dangerous person draws others in. They lead those nearby into paths that are harmful and wrong.

³⁰The troublemaker closes their eyes to scheme and plan evil. Then with their moving lips they carry out the wrong.

³¹White hair and old age are a crown of glory — but only when that life has been lived in God's right ways.

³²Being slow to anger is better than being the strongest warrior. Ruling your own spirit is greater than conquering a whole city.

³³People might throw dice or cast lots to decide something. But it is always God who decides what the answer truly is.