Proverbs 16 (NLT)

Proverbs 16 NLT read aloud by Simon MacFarlane. 1 We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. 2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. 3 Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. 4 The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster. 5 The Lord detests the proud; they will surely be punished. 6 Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil. 7 When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them. 8 Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. 9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. 10 The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly. 11 The Lord demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness. 12 A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice. 13 The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly. 14 The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it. 15 When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain. 16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver! 17 The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe. 18 Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. 19 Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud. 20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. 21 The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive. 22 Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools. 23 From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. 24 Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. 25 There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. 26 It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on. 27 Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze. 28 A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. 29 Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path. 30 With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief. 31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life. 32 Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. 33 We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.