Chapter 16
1The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from AO.
2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but AO weighs the spirits.
3Commit your works to AO, and your thoughts shall be established.
4AO has made all things for Himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to AO: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of AO men depart from evil.
7When a man's ways please AO, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9A man's heart devises his way: but AO directs his steps.
10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresses not in judgment.
11A just weight and balance are AO's: all the weights of the bag are His work.
12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaks right.
14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
15In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather than choice silver!
17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keeps His way preserves his soul.
18Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20He that handles a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusts in AO, happy is he.
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increases learning.
22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that has it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26He that labours labours for himself; for his mouth craves it of him.
27An ungodly man digs up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28A froward man sows strife: and a whisperer separates chief friends.
29A violent man entices his neighbour, and leads him into the way that is not good.
30He shuts his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he brings evil to pass.
31The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city.
33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of AO.