the Second Week after Epiphany
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Christian Standard Bible ®
Proverbs 16
1 The reflections of the heart belong to mankind,
2 All a person’s ways seem right to him,
but the Lord weighs motives.(F1)(C1)
3 Commit your activities to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.(C1)
4 The Lord has prepared everything for his purpose—
even the wicked for the day of disaster.(C1)
5 Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord;(C1)
be assured,(F1) he will not go unpunished.(C2)
6 Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,(C1)
and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.(C2)
7 When a person’s ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.(C1)
8 Better a little with righteousness
than great income with injustice.(C1)
9 A person’s heart plans his way,
but the Lord determines his steps.(C1)
10 God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;(F1)(C1)
his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.(C2)
11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag are his concern.(C1)
12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,(C1)
since a throne is established through righteousness.(C2)
13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight,
and he loves one who speaks honestly.
14 A king’s fury is a messenger of death,
but a wise person appeases it.(C1)
15 When a king’s face lights up, there is life;
his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.
16 Get wisdom—
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding—
it is preferable to silver.(C1)
17 The highway of the upright(C1) avoids evil;
the one who guards his way protects his life.(C2)
18 Pride comes before destruction,
and an arrogant spirit before a fall.(C1)
19 Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble(F1)(C1)
than to divide plunder with the proud.(C2)
20 The one who understands a matter finds success,(C1)
and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.(C2)
21 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,
and pleasant speech(F1) increases learning.(C1)
22 Insight is a fountain of life(C1) for its possessor,
but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth;
it adds learning to his speech.(F1)(C1)
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb:(C1)
sweet to the taste(F1) and health to the body.(F2)(C2)
25 There is a way that seems right to a person,
but its end is the way to death.(C1)
26 A worker’s appetite works for him
because his hunger(F1) urges him on.
27 A worthless person digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.(C1)
28 A contrary person spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.(C1)
29 A violent person lures his neighbor,(C1)
leading him on a path that is not good.(C2)
30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;
the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.(C1)
31 Gray hair is a glorious crown;(C1)
it is found in the ways of righteousness.(C2)
32 Patience is better than power,
and controlling one’s emotions,(F1) than capturing a city.(C1)
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.(C1)
Christian Standard Bible ®
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.