| Chapter 16 |
1 |
It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to govern the tongue. --
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2 |
All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of spirits. --
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3 |
Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed. --
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4 |
The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day. --
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5 |
Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice; and this is more acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices. --
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6 |
By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. --
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7 |
When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace. --
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8 |
Better is a little with justice, than great revenues with iniquity. --
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9 |
The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps. --
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10 |
Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment. --
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11 |
Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all the weights of the bag. --
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12 |
They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established by justice. --
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13 |
Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right things shall be loved. --
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14 |
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death : and the wise man will pacify it. --
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15 |
In the cheerfulness of the king's countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain. --
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16 |
Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver. --
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17 |
The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his way. --
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18 |
Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall. --
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19 |
It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud. --
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20 |
The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is blessed. --
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21 |
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words shall attain to greater things. --
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22 |
Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness. --
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23 |
The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips. --
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24 |
Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. --
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25 |
There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death. --
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26 |
The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it. --
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27 |
The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire. --
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28 |
A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes. --
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29 |
An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way that is not good --
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30 |
He that with fixed eyes deviseth· wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth: evil to pass. --
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31 |
Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice. --
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32 |
The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities. --
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33 |
Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord. --
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