Sundry observations of moral virtues, and their contrary vices.

16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.

16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes;
but Yahweh weighs the motives.

16:3 Commit your deeds to Yahweh,
and your plans shall succeed.

16:4 Yahweh has made everything for its own end—
yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

16:5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh:
they shall certainly not be unpunished.

16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for.
By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.

16:7 When a man’s ways please Yahweh,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

16:8 Better is a little with righteousness,
than great revenues with injustice.

16:9 A man’s heart plans his course,
but Yahweh directs his steps.

16:10 Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king.
He shall not betray his mouth.

16:11 Honest balances and scales are Yahweh’s;
all the weights in the bag are his work.

16:12 It is an abomination for kings to do wrong,
for the throne is established by righteousness.

16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings.
They value one who speaks the truth.

16:14 The king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
but a wise man will pacify it.

16:15 In the light of the king’s face is life.
His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.

16:16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

16:17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil.
He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

16:18 Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.

16:19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor,
than to divide the plunder with the proud.

16:20 He who heeds the Word finds prosperity.
Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.

16:21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent.
Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.

16:22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,
but the punishment of fools is their folly.

16:23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth,
and adds learning to his lips.

16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

16:25 There is a way which seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.

16:26 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him;
for his mouth urges him on.

16:27 A worthless man devises mischief.
His speech is like a scorching fire.

16:28 A perverse man stirs up strife.
A whisperer separates close friends.

16:29 A man of violence entices his neighbor,
and leads him in a way that is not good.

16:30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities,
one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.

16:31 Gray hair is a crown of glory.
It is attained by a life of righteousness.

16:32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty;
one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

16:33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from Yahweh.