Pro 16:0-22:16 | ESV | STEP | The plans of the heart belong to man , but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord .

1 The plans of the heart belong to man,
but ^athe answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 ^bAll the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord ^cweighs the spirit.
3 ^dCommit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
4 ^eThe Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even ^fthe wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is ^gan abomination to the Lord;
^hbe assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 By ⁱsteadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by ^jthe fear of the Lord one ^kturns away from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord,
^lhe makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 ^mBetter is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
9 ⁿThe heart of man plans his way,
but ^othe Lord establishes his steps.
10 ^pAn oracle is on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 ^qA just balance and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for ^rthe throne is established by righteousness.
13 ^sRighteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
14 ^tA king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will ^uappease it.
15 ^vIn the light of a king’s face there is life,
and his ^wfavor is like ^xthe clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 ^yHow much better to get wisdom than ^zgold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than ^aasilver.
17 The highway of the upright ^abturns aside from evil;
whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18 ^acPride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 ^adIt is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
than to ^aedivide the spoil with the proud.
20 Whoever gives thought to the word ^{▼▼Or to a matter} ^agwill discover good,
and blessed is he ^ahwho trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise of heart is called discerning,
and sweetness of speech ^aiincreases persuasiveness.
22 Good sense is ^aja fountain of life to him who has it,
but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 ^akThe heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 ^alGracious words are like ^ama honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and ^anhealth to the body.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death. ^{▼▼Hebrew ways of death}
26 A worker’s appetite works for him;
his ^apmouth urges him on.
27 ^aqA worthless man plots evil,
and his speech ^{▼▼Hebrew what is on his lips} is like ^asa scorching fire.
28 ^atA dishonest man spreads strife,
and ^aua whisperer ^avseparates close friends.
29 A man of violence ^awentices his neighbor
and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 Whoever winks his eyes plans ^{▼▼Hebrew to plan} ^aydishonest things;
he who ^azpurses his lips brings evil to pass.
31 ^baGray hair is ^bba crown of glory;
it ^bcis gained in a righteous life.
32 ^bdWhoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 ^beThe lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is ^bffrom the Lord.

Proverbs 17

1 ^bgBetter is a dry morsel with quiet
than a house full of feasting ^{▼▼Hebrew sacrifices} with strife.
2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over ^bia son who acts shamefully
and ^bjwill share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
3 ^bkThe crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
^bland the Lord tests hearts.
4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor ^bminsults his Maker;
he who is ^bnglad at calamity will not go ^bounpunished.
6 ^bpGrandchildren are ^bqthe crown of the aged,
and the glory of children is their fathers.
7 Fine speech is not ^brbecoming to a fool;
still less is ^bsfalse speech to a prince.
8 ^btA bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it;
wherever he turns he prospers.
9 Whoever ^bucovers an offense seeks love,
but he who repeats a matter ^bvseparates close friends.
10 A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding
than a hundred blows into a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion,
and ^bwa cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Let a man meet ^bxa she-bear robbed of her cubs
^byrather than a fool in his folly.
13 If anyone ^bzreturns evil for good,
^caevil will not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
so ^cbquit before the quarrel breaks out.
15 He who ^ccjustifies the wicked and he who ^cdcondemns the righteous
are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
16 Why should a fool have money in his hand ^ceto buy wisdom
when he has no sense?
17 ^cfA friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.
18 One who lacks sense gives a pledge
and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.
19 Whoever loves transgression loves strife;
he who ^cgmakes his door high seeks destruction.
20 ^chA man of crooked heart does not discover good,
and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.
21 He who ^cisires a fool gets himself sorrow,
and the father of a fool has no joy.
22 ^cjA joyful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit ^ckdries up the bones.
23 The wicked accepts ^cla bribe in secret ^{▼▼Hebrew a bribe from the bosom}
to ^cnpervert the ways of justice.
24 ^coThe discerning sets his face toward wisdom,
but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 ^cpA foolish son is a grief to his father
^cqand bitterness to ^crher who bore him.
26 ^csTo impose a fine on a righteous man is not good,
nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
27 Whoever ^ctrestrains his words has knowledge,
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool ^cuwho keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 18

1 Whoever ^cvisolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgment.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only ^cwin expressing his opinion.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are ^cxdeep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 It is not good to ^cybe partial to ^{▼▼Hebrew to lift the face of} the wicked
or to ^dadeprive the righteous of justice.
6 A fool’s lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites ^dba beating.
7 ^dcA fool’s mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 ^ddThe words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into ^dethe inner parts of the body.
9 Whoever is slack in his work
is a ^dfbrother to him who destroys.
10 ^dgThe name of the Lord is ^dha strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and ^diis safe.
11 ^djA rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
and like a high wall in his imagination.
12 ^dkBefore destruction a man’s heart is haughty,
but ^dlhumility comes before honor.
13 If one gives an answer ^dmbefore he hears,
it is his folly and shame.
14 A man’s spirit will endure sickness,
but ^dna crushed spirit who can bear?
15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s ^dogift makes room for him
and brings him before the great.
17 The one who states his case first seems right,
until the other comes and examines him.
18 ^dpThe lot puts an end to quarrels
and decides between powerful contenders.
19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,
and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 ^dqFrom the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
21 ^drDeath and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
22 He who finds ^dsa wife finds ^dta good thing
and ^duobtains favor ^dvfrom the Lord.
23 The poor use entreaties,
but ^dwthe rich answer roughly.
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but ^dxthere is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 19

1 ^dyBetter is a poor person who ^dzwalks in his integrity
than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.
2 Desire ^{▼▼Or A soul} without knowledge is not good,
and whoever ^ebmakes haste with his feet misses his way.
3 When a man’s folly ^ecbrings his way to ruin,
his heart ^edrages against the Lord.
4 ^eeWealth brings many new friends,
^efbut a poor man is deserted by his friend.
5 ^egA false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who ^ehbreathes out lies will not escape.
6 Many seek the favor of a generous man, ^{▼▼Or of a noble}
and everyone is a friend to a man who gives ^ejgifts.
7 ^ekAll a poor man’s brothers hate him;
^elhow much more do his friends go far from him!
He pursues them with words, but does not have them. ^{▼▼The meaning of the Hebrew sentence is uncertain}
8 ^enWhoever gets sense loves his own soul;
he who keeps understanding will ^eodiscover good.
9 ^epA false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who ^eqbreathes out lies will perish.
10 ^erIt is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,
much less for ^esa slave to rule over princes.
11 ^etGood sense makes one slow to anger,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
12 A king’s wrath is like ^euthe growling of a lion,
but his ^evfavor is like ^ewdew on the grass.
13 ^exA foolish son is ruin to his father,
and ^eya wife’s quarreling is ^eza continual dripping of rain.
14 ^faHouse and wealth are inherited from fathers,
but a prudent wife is ^fbfrom the Lord.
15 ^fcSlothfulness casts into ^fda deep sleep,
and ^fean idle person will suffer hunger.
16 Whoever ^ffkeeps the commandment keeps his life;
he who despises his ways will die.
17 ^fgWhoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he ^fhwill repay him for his ^fideed.
18 ^fjDiscipline your son, for there is hope;
do not set your heart on ^fkputting him to death.
19 A man of great wrath will pay the penalty,
for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.
20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom in ^flthe future.
21 ^fmMany are the plans in the mind of a man,
but ^fnit is the purpose of the Lord ^fothat will stand.
22 What is desired in a man is steadfast love,
and a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord ^fpleads to life,
and whoever has it rests ^fqsatisfied;
he will ^frnot be visited by harm.
24 ^fsThe sluggard buries his hand in ^ftthe dish
and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 ^fuStrike ^fva scoffer, and the simple will ^fwlearn prudence;
^fxreprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother
is ^fya son who brings shame and reproach.
27 Cease to hear instruction, my son,
^fzand you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A worthless witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked ^gadevours iniquity.
29 Condemnation is ready for ^gbscoffers,
and ^gcbeating for the backs of fools.

Proverbs 20

1 ^gdWine is a mocker, ^gestrong drink a brawler,
and whoever ^gfis led astray by it is not wise. ^{▼▼Or will not become wise}
2 The terror of a king is like ^ghthe growling of a lion;
whoever provokes him to anger ^giforfeits his life.
3 It is an honor for a man to ^gjkeep aloof from strife,
but every fool will be quarreling.
4 ^gkThe sluggard does not plow in the autumn;
^glhe will seek at harvest and have nothing.
5 The purpose in a man’s heart is like ^gmdeep water,
but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Many a man ^gnproclaims his own steadfast love,
but ^goa faithful man who can find?
7 The righteous who ^gpwalks in his integrity—
^gqblessed are his children after him!
8 ^grA king who sits on the throne of judgment
^gswinnows all evil with his eyes.
9 ^gtWho can say, “I have made my heart pure;
I am clean from my sin”?
10 ^guUnequal ^{▼▼Or Two kinds of; also verse 23} weights and unequal measures
are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
11 Even a child ^gwmakes himself known by his acts,
by whether his conduct is pure and upright. ^{▼▼Or Even a child can dissemble in his actions, though his conduct seems pure and upright}
12 ^gyThe hearing ear and the seeing eye,
^gzthe Lord has made them both.
13 ^haLove not sleep, lest you ^hbcome to poverty;
open your eyes, and you will have ^hcplenty of bread.
14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,
but when he goes away, then he boasts.
15 There is gold and abundance of ^hdcostly stones,
^hebut the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 ^hfTake a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger,
and ^hghold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners. ^{▼▼Or for an adulteress (compare 27:13)}
17 ^hiBread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
but afterward his mouth will be full of ^hjgravel.
18 ^hkPlans are established by counsel;
by ^hlwise guidance ^hmwage war.
19 Whoever ^hngoes about slandering reveals secrets;
therefore do not associate with ^hoa simple babbler. ^{▼▼Hebrew with one who is simple in his lips}
20 ^hqIf one curses his father or his mother,
^hrhis lamp will be put out in utter darkness.
21 ^hsAn inheritance gained hastily in the beginning
will not be blessed in the end.
22 Do not say, ^ht“I will repay evil”;
^huwait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
23 ^hvUnequal weights are an abomination to the Lord,
and ^hwfalse scales are not good.
24 A man’s ^hxsteps are from the Lord;
how then can man understand his way?
25 It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,”
and to reflect only ^hyafter making vows.
26 A wise king ^hzwinnows the wicked
and drives ^iathe wheel over them.
27 ^ibThe spirit ^{▼▼Hebrew breath} of man is the lamp of the Lord,
^idsearching all ^iehis innermost parts.
28 ^ifSteadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,
and by steadfast love his ^igthrone is upheld.
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
but ^ihthe splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30 ⁱⁱBlows that wound cleanse away evil;
strokes make clean ^ijthe innermost parts.

Proverbs 21

1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
he ^ikturns it wherever he will.
2 ^ilEvery way of a man is right in his own eyes,
but the Lord ^imweighs the heart.
3 ⁱⁿTo do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 ^ioHaughty eyes and a proud heart,
^ipthe lamp ^{▼▼Or the plowing} of the wicked, are sin.
5 The plans of ^irthe diligent lead surely to abundance,
but everyone who is ^ishasty comes ^itonly to poverty.
6 ^iuThe getting of treasures by a lying tongue
is a ^ivfleeting ^iwvapor and a ^ixsnare of death. ^{▼▼Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Latin; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death}
7 The violence of the wicked will ^izsweep them away,
because they refuse to do what is just.
8 The way of the guilty ^jais crooked,
but the conduct of the pure is upright.
9 It is ^jbbetter to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11 When ^jca scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;
when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12 The Righteous One ^jdobserves the house of the wicked;
he throws the wicked down to ruin.
13 ^jeWhoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor
will himself call out and not be answered.
14 ^jfA gift in secret averts anger,
and a concealed bribe, ^{▼▼Hebrew a bribe in the bosom} strong wrath.
15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous
^jhbut terror to evildoers.
16 One who wanders from the way of good sense
^jiwill rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;
he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 ^jjThe wicked is a ^jkransom for the righteous,
and the traitor for the upright.
19 It is ^jlbetter to live in a desert land
than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
20 ^jmPrecious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling,
but a foolish man ^jndevours it.
21 Whoever ^jopursues righteousness and kindness
will find ^jplife, righteousness, and honor.
22 ^jqA wise man scales the city of the mighty
and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 ^jrWhoever keeps his mouth and his tongue
^jskeeps himself out of ^jttrouble.
24 ^ju“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man
who acts with arrogant pride.
25 The desire of ^jvthe sluggard kills him,
for his hands refuse to labor.
26 All day long he craves and craves,
but the righteous ^jwgives and does not hold back.
27 ^jxThe sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
how much more ^jywhen he brings it with evil intent.
28 ^jzA false witness will perish,
but the word of a man who hears will endure.
29 A wicked man puts on a bold face,
but the upright ^kagives thought to ^{▼▼Or establishes} his ways.
30 ^kcNo wisdom, no understanding, no counsel
can avail against the Lord.
31 ^kdThe horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but ^kethe victory belongs to the Lord.

Proverbs 22:1-16

1 ^kfA good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
and favor is better than silver or gold.
2 ^kgThe rich and the poor meet together;
the Lord is ^khthe Maker of them all.
3 ^kiThe prudent sees danger and hides himself,
but the simple go on and suffer for it.
4 The reward for humility and fear of the Lord
is ^kjriches and honor and life. ^{▼▼Or The reward for humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and honor and life}
5 ^klThorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;
whoever ^kmguards his soul will keep far from them.
6 ^knTrain up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 ^koThe rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
8 Whoever ^kpsows injustice will reap calamity,
and ^kqthe rod of his fury will fail.
9 ^krWhoever has a bountiful ^{▼▼Hebrew good} eye will be blessed,
for he ^ktshares his bread with the poor.
10 ^kuDrive out a scoffer, ^kvand strife will go out,
and ^kwquarreling and abuse will cease.
11 He who ^kxloves purity of heart,
and whose ^kyspeech is gracious, ^kzwill have the king as his friend.
12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
but he ^laoverthrows the words of the traitor.
13 ^lbThe sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!
I shall be killed in the streets!”
14 The mouth of ^lcforbidden ^{▼▼Hebrew strange} women is ^lea deep pit;
^lfhe with whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but ^lgthe rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16 Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,
or gives to the rich, ^lhwill only come to poverty.