Chapter 16

¹ Let the heart of a man think justly, that

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his steps may be rightly ordered of God. The eye that sees rightly rejoices the heart; and a good report fattens the bones. ³² He that rejects instruction hates himself; but he that mind reproofs loves his soul. ³³ The fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom; and the highest honour will ¹correspond therewith. All the works of the humble man are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day. ⁵ Every one that is proud in heart is unclean before God, and he that unjustly strikes hands with hand shall not be held guiltless. The beginning of a good way is to do justly; and it is more acceptable with God than to offer sacrifices. He that seeks the Lord shall find knowledge with righteousness: and they that rightly seek him shall find peace. All of the works of the Lord are done with righteousness; and the ungodly man is kept for the evil day.

¹⁰ There is an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgement. ¹¹ The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures. ¹² An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness. ¹³ Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words. ¹⁴ The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him. ¹⁵ The son of a king is in the light of life; and they that are in favour with him are as a cloud of latter rain. ¹⁶ The ²brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen than silver. ¹⁷ The paths of life turn aside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are length of life. He that receives instruction shall be in prosperity; and he that regards reproofs shall be made wise. He that keeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he that loves his life will spare his mouth.

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall. ¹⁹ Better is a meek-spirited man with ³lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud. ²⁰ He who is skillful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed. ²¹ Men call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more. ²² Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil. ²³ The heart of the wise will discern the things which proceed from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge. ²⁴ Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.

²⁵ There are ways that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of hell. ²⁶ A man who labours, labours for himself, and drives from him his own ruin. ²⁷ But the perverse bears destruction upon his own mouth: a foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips. ²⁸ A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends. ²⁹ A transgressor tries to ensnare friends, and leads them in ways that are not good.

³⁰ And the man that fixes his eyes devises

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perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evil: he is a furnace of wickedness. ³¹ Old age is a crown of ⁴honour, but it is found in the ways of righteousness. ³² A man slow to anger is better than a strong man; and he that governs his temper better than he that takes a city. ³³ All evils come upon the ungodly into their bosoms; but all righteous things come of the Lord.