but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
but motives are weighed by the Lord.
and he will establish your plans.
even the wicked for a day of disaster.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.
he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
than much gain with injustice.
but the Lord establishes their steps.
and his mouth does not betray justice.
all the weights in the bag are of his making.
for a throne is established through righteousness.
they value the one who speaks what is right.
but the wise will appease it.
his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
to get insight rather than silver!
those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
a haughty spirit before a fall.
than to share plunder with the proud.
and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
and gracious words promote instruction.[b]
but folly brings punishment to fools.
and their lips promote instruction.[c]
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
but in the end it leads to death.
their hunger drives them on.
and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.
and a gossip separates close friends.
and leads them down a path that is not good.
whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
it is attained in the way of righteousness.
one with self-control than one who takes a city.
but its every decision is from the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good
- Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive
- Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive