Proverbs 16:16-32

New International Version

¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold,
    to get insight^(A) rather than silver!^(B)

¹⁷ The highway of the upright avoids evil;
    those who guard their ways preserve their lives.^(C)

¹⁸ Pride^(D) goes before destruction,
    a haughty spirit^(E) before a fall.^(F)

¹⁹ Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
    than to share plunder with the proud.

²⁰ Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,^[a](G)
    and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.^(H)

²¹ The wise in heart are called discerning,
    and gracious words promote instruction.^[b](I)

²² Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,^(J)
    but folly brings punishment to fools.

²³ The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,^(K)
    and their lips promote instruction.^[c](L)

²⁴ Gracious words are a honeycomb,^(M)
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.^(N)

²⁵ There is a way that appears to be right,^(O)
    but in the end it leads to death.^(P)

²⁶ The appetite of laborers works for them;
    their hunger drives them on.

²⁷ A scoundrel^(Q) plots evil,
    and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.^(R)

²⁸ A perverse person stirs up conflict,^(S)
    and a gossip separates close friends.^(T)

²⁹ A violent person entices their neighbor
    and leads them down a path that is not good.^(U)

³⁰ Whoever winks^(V) with their eye is plotting perversity;
    whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

³¹ Gray hair is a crown of splendor;^(W)
    it is attained in the way of righteousness.

³² Better a patient person than a warrior,
    one with self-control than one who takes a city.