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[1] The plans of the mind belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
[2] All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the LORD weighs the spirit.
[3] Commit your work to the LORD,
and your plans will be established.
[4] The LORD has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.
[5] Every one who is arrogant is an abomination to the LORD;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.
[6] By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.
[7] When a man’s ways please the LORD,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
[8] Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
[9] A man’s mind plans his way,
but the LORD directs his steps.
[10] Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgment.
[11] A just balance and scales are the LORD’s;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
[12] It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for the throne is established by righteousness.
[13] Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
[14] A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will appease it.
[15] In the light of a king’s face there is life,
and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
[16] To get wisdom is better than gold;
to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
[17] The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;
he who guards his way preserves his life.
[18] Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
[19] It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
[20] He who gives heed to the word will prosper,
and happy is he who trusts in the LORD.
[21] The wise of heart is called a man of discernment,
and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
[22] Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it,
but folly is the chastisement of fools.
[23] The mind of the wise makes his speech judicious,
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
[24] Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
[25] There is a way which seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.
[26] A worker’s appetite works for him;
his mouth urges him on.
[27] A worthless man plots evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.
[28] A perverse man spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.
[29] A man of violence entices his neighbor
and leads him in a way that is not good.
[30] He who winks his eyes plans perverse things,
he who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.
[31] A hoary head is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.
[32] He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
[33] The lot is cast into the lap,
but the decision is wholly from the LORD.
The Book of Proverbs is provided for non-commercial purposes by the University of Pennsylvania Center for Computer Analysis of Texts. Licensing information can be found here.
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