Chapter 16

  The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.  

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  All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But Yahweh weighs the motives.  

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  Commit your deeds to Yahweh, And your plans shall succeed.  

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  Yahweh has made everything for its own end -- Yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.  

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  Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: They shall assuredly not be unpunished.  

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

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  When a man's ways please Yahweh, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.  

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  Better is a little with righteousness, Than great revenues with injustice.  

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  A man's heart plans his course, But Yahweh directs his steps.  

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  Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. His shall not betray his mouth.  

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  Honest balances and scales are Yahweh's; All the weights in the bag are his work.  

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

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

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  The king's wrath is a messenger of death, But a wise man will pacify it.  

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  In the light of the king's face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.  

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

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

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  Pride goes before destruction, A haughty spirit before a fall.  

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  It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divide the plunder with the proud.  

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  He who gives heed to the word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.  

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

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  Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the punishment of fools is their folly.  

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  The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, And adds learning to his lips.  

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  Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.  

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  There is a way which seems right to a man, But in the end it leads to death.  

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  The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; For his mouth urges him on.  

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

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  A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.  

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  A man of violence entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good.  

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

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

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

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  The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from Yahweh.  

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