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

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

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

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

24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,(G)
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.(H)

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

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

27 A scoundrel(K) plots evil,
    and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.(L)

28 A perverse person stirs up conflict,(M)
    and a gossip separates close friends.(N)

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

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

31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor;(Q)
    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.

33 The lot is cast(R) into the lap,
    but its every decision(S) is from the Lord.(T)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good
  2. Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive
  3. Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive

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