Châm Ngôn 16

¹People make the plans in their minds, \q but the right answer comes from the LORD. ²People think all their ways are pure, \q but the LORD weighs the motives. ³Hand over what you do to the LORD, \q and your plans will stand firm. ⁴The LORD has made everything for its own end, \q even the wicked for the day of disaster. ⁵The LORD detests all the proud of heart; \q be sure of it, they will not escape punishment. ⁶Loyal love and faithfulness make amends for wrong, \q and through the fear of the LORD people turn away from evil.^{a 7}When the LORD is pleased with how someone lives, \q he makes even their enemies make peace with them. ⁸Better a little gained honestly \q than a fortune made by injustice. ⁹People plot their course in their minds, \q but it is the LORD who guides their steps. ¹⁰A king’s words are like an oracle; \q when he gives judgment, his mouth should not go wrong. ¹¹Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD; \q every weight in the bag is his concern. ¹²Kings detest wrongdoing, \q for a throne is made secure by righteousness. ¹³Kings take pleasure in honest speech; \q they value the one who speaks what is right. ¹⁴A king’s anger is a messenger of death, \q but a wise person will calm it. ¹⁵When the king’s face shines with favor, there is life, \q and his goodwill is like a rain cloud in spring. ¹⁶How much better to gain wisdom than gold, \q to choose understanding rather than silver! ¹⁷The highway of the upright avoids evil; \q whoever watches their step protects their life. ¹⁸Pride comes first, then the crash; \q a haughty spirit, then the fall. ¹⁹Better to be humble and live among the lowly \q than to share the spoils with the proud. ²⁰Whoever heeds instruction will prosper, \q and how blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD! ²¹The wise in heart are known for their discernment, \q and pleasant words make teaching more persuasive. ²²Good sense is a spring of life to those who have it, \q but folly is the punishment of fools. ²³A wise heart guides the mouth \q and makes the lips more persuasive. ²⁴Kind words are a honeycomb, \q sweet to taste and health for the body. ²⁵There is a road that seems right to a person, \q but where it ends is death. ²⁶A worker’s hunger works for him; \q his mouth drives him on. ²⁷A scoundrel digs up trouble, \q and their talk is like a scorching fire. ²⁸A twisted person stirs up conflict, \q and a gossip separates close friends. ²⁹A violent person lures a neighbor \q and leads them down a bad road. ³⁰Someone who winks is plotting something twisted; \q someone who purses the lips has already done harm. ³¹Gray hair is a glorious crown, \q won by living a righteous life. ³²Patience is worth more than a warrior’s strength, \q and self-control more than conquering a city. ³³The lot is tossed into the lap, \q but how it falls is decided by the LORD.