Proverbs 16

The plans of the heart are the people's task,
But God delivers what everyone asks

All a person's ways they say they love,
But motives are weighed by God above

Say to God what you want of life,
Then let Him do all for which you strive

God works out all things to their end,
The wicked's ways to disaster wend

The Lord detests all proud of heart,
This is proved when punishment starts

Through love and faith sin is atoned,
Through fear of God evil's on its own

When God enjoys anyone's ways,
He makes their foes make peace and stay

Better a little rightly obtained,
Than injustice with much gain

In their hearts people plan,
But their steps the Lord began

A king's lips speak as oracle's must,
And with his mouth says what's just

Scales and checks God truly tags,
By weights He keeps in honest bags

Kings detest wrongdoing throngs,
They make their thrones from righteous songs

Kings delight and value too,
Lips that speak what's right and true

A king's wrath warns 'death ahead',
So wisest ones appease when read

A bright-faced king the life bell rings,
His favour rains from clouds in Spring

Wisdom's much better than bars of gold,
Insight's worth more than silver sold

The upright's road avoids evil's dives,
Those watching well preserve their lives

Pride runs ahead of calamity's call,
Such spirits sprint to fortune's fall

Better to be lowly as with those set low,
Than share in booty which the prideful show

Those who heed teachers prosper by their word,
Blessings shower over those trusting in the Lord

The wise in heart are discerning,
Gracious words promote learning

Prudence is a fountain gushing life's rules,
But folly punishes every and all fools

The wise have hearts making words which sound caring,
With mouths that teach and sell to those hearing

Gracious words are honey bound into a comb,
Sweet to souls and healing to the very bones

There is a way that's leading and seems to be right,
This is just deceiving and death is its blight

Labourers have hunger for working all day long,
Their appetite's a blessing which drives them on and on.

Scoundrels scheme and plot, their lips show evilness,
Like a scorching fire, their plans all burn and hiss

A perverse person stirs up things,
And gossips breaks the friendship ring

A violent one entices their neighbours to wrath,
Leading them astray and down a poisoned path

Whoever winks is plotting, their eye is bent on wrong,
Those whose lips are purses plot a twisted song

Grey hair's like a crown, it's splendidly displayed,
Gained by those of good, who're righteous in their ways

Better are patient people than those who wars do make,
Someone who's restraining and not a city takes

The lot is cast into the lap,
But all choices God's fingers tap.

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