Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked

16 The (A)plans of the heart belong to a person,
But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
All the ways of a person are clean in his own sight,
But the (B)Lord examines the [a]motives.
[b](C)Commit your works to the Lord,
And your plans will be established.
The Lord (D)has made everything for [c]its own purpose,
Even the (E)wicked for the day of evil.
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
[d]Be assured, he will not go unpunished.
By (F)mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing,
And by [e]the (G)fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.
When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,
He (H)causes even his enemies to make peace with him.
Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income with injustice.
The mind of a (I)person plans his way,
But (J)the Lord directs his steps.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:2 Lit spirits
  2. Proverbs 16:3 Lit Roll
  3. Proverbs 16:4 Or His
  4. Proverbs 16:5 Lit Hand to hand, he
  5. Proverbs 16:6 Or reverence for

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