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16
1 The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from Adonai .
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes;
but Adonai weighs the motives.
3 Commit your deeds to Adonai ,
and your plans shall succeed.
4 Adonai has made everything for its own end—
yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Adonai :
they shall certainly not be unpunished.
6 By cheshed ·loving-kindness· and truth iniquity is atoned for.
By the fear of Adonai men depart from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please Adonai ,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness,
than great revenues with lo'mishpat ·injustice·.
9 A man’s heart plans his course,
but Adonai directs his steps.
10 Inspired charges are on the lips of the king.
His mouth shall not betray his judgments.
11 Mishpat ·Honest· balances and scales are Adonai ’s;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination for kings to do wrong,
for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings.
They 'ahav ·affectionately love· one who speaks the truth.
14 The king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
but a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of the king’s face is life.
His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil.
He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
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 plunder with the proud.
20 He who heeds the Word finds prosperity.
Whoever trusts in Adonai is blessed.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent.
Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,
but the punishment of fools is their folly.
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth,
and adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way which seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.
26 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him;
for his mouth urges him on.
27 A worthless man devises mischief.
His speech is like a scorching fire. * Quoted in James 3:6
28 A perverse man stirs up strife.
A whisperer separates close friends.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor,
and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities,
one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory.
It is attained by a life of righteousness.
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty;
one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every mishpat ·decision· is from Adonai .

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*16:27 Quoted in James 3:6

© 2016 Thomas Robinson