(KJV) Proverbs 16

⥃The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD

[1] The preparations¹ of the heart in man, and² the answer of the tongue, [is] from the Lord. [2] All the ways³ of a man [are] clean in his own eyes; but⁴ the Lord weigheth the spirits. [3] Commit⁵ thy works⁶ unto the Lord, and thy thoughts⁷ shall be established. [4] The Lord⁸ hath made all [things] for himself: yea⁹, even the wicked for the day of evil. [5] Every one [that¹⁰ is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the Lord: [though¹¹] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished¹². [6] By mercy¹³ and truth iniquity is purged: and by the¹⁴ fear of the Lord [men] depart from evil. [7] When a man’s ways please¹⁵ the¹⁶ Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. [8] Better [is¹⁷] a little with righteousness than great¹⁸ revenues without right. [9] A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.¹⁹ [10] A divine sentence²⁰ [is] in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth²¹ not in judgment. [11] A just²² weight²³ and balance [are] the Lord’s: all the weights of the bag [are] his work. [12] [It is] an²⁴ abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for²⁵ the throne is established by righteousness. [13] Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.²⁶ [14] The wrath²⁷ of a king [is as] messengers²⁸ of death: but²⁹ a wise man will pacify it. [15] In the light³⁰ of the king’s countenance [is] life; and his³¹ favour [is] as a cloud of the latter rain. [16] How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!³² [17] The highway³³ of the³⁴ upright [is] to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. [18] Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.³⁵ [19] Better [it is to be³⁶] of an humble spirit with the lowly, than³⁷ to divide the spoil with the proud. [20] He that handleth³⁸ a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso³⁹ trusteth in the Lord, happy [is] he. [21] The wise⁴⁰ in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness⁴¹ of the lips increaseth learning. [22] Understanding [is] a wellspring⁴² of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction⁴³ of fools [is] folly. [23] The heart⁴⁴ of the wise teacheth⁴⁵ his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. [24] Pleasan⁴⁶t⁴⁷ words [are as] an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health⁴⁸ to the bones. [25] There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.⁴⁹ [26] He⁵⁰ that laboureth⁵¹ laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him⁵². [27] An ungodly man⁵³ diggeth⁵⁴ up evil: and in⁵⁵ his lips [there is] as a burning fire. [28] A froward⁵⁶ man soweth⁵⁷ strife: and a whisperer⁵⁸ separateth chief friends. [29] A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way [that is] not good.⁵⁹ [30] He shutteth⁶⁰ his eyes to devise froward things: moving⁶¹ his lips he bringeth evil to pass. [31] The hoary⁶² head [is] a crown of glory, [if⁶³] it be found in the way of righteousness. [32] [He that is⁶⁴] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty; and he⁶⁵ that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. [33] The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the Lord. ⁶⁶