Key verse for Oct. 16: Proverbs 16:31
Proverbs 16 (Today's New International Version)
1 To human beings belong the plans of the heart,
but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.
2 People may think all their ways are pure,
but motives are weighed by the LORD.
3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.
4 The LORD works out everything to its proper end—
even the wicked for a day of disaster.
5 The LORD detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided.
7 When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone's way,
he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
8 Better a little with righteousness
than much gain with injustice.
9 In their hearts human beings plan their course,
but the LORD establishes their steps.
10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
and his mouth does not betray justice.
11 Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD;
all the weights in the bag are of his making.
12 Kings detest wrongdoing,
for a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value persons who speak what is right.
14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death,
but the wise will appease it.
15 When a king's face brightens, it means life;
his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to get insight rather than silver!
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.
20 Those who give heed to instruction prosper, [a]
and blessed are those who trust in the LORD.
21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
and gracious words promote instruction. [b]
22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,
but folly brings punishment to fools.
23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,
and their lips promote instruction. [c]
24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.
26 The appetite of laborers works for them;
their hunger drives them on.
27 Scoundrels plot evil,
and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.
28 The perverse stir up dissension,
and gossips separate close friends.
29 The violent entice their neighbors
and lead them down a path that is not good.
30 Those who wink with their eyes are plotting perversity;
those who purse their lips are bent on evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
it is attained in the way of righteousness.
32 Better a patient person than a warrior,
those with self-control than those who take a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the LORD.
Footnotes:
a.Proverbs 16:20 Or who speak prudently find what is good
b.Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive
c.Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive
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