Letting God Direct Every Word and Step

Mortals may arrange their thoughts,But what they say depends on GOD. People look approvingly on their own ways,But GOD probes motives. Entrust your affairs to GOD,And your plans will succeed. GOD made everything for a purpose,Even the wicked for an evil day. Everyone haughty is an abomination to GOD;Assuredly, they will not go unpunished. Iniquity is expiated by loyalty and faithfulness,And evil is avoided through fear of GOD. GOD, when pleased with someone’s conduct,May turn even their enemies into allies. Better a little with righteousnessThan a large income with injustice. Mortals may plot out their course,But it is GOD who directs their steps. There is magic on the lips of the king;He cannot err in judgment. Honest scales and balances are GOD’s,Whose work includes all the weights in the bag. Wicked deeds are an abomination to kings,For the throne is established by righteousness. Truthful speech wins the favor of kings;They love those who speak honestly. The king’s wrath is a messenger of death,But a man who is wise can appease it. The king’s smile means life;His favor is like a rain cloud in spring. How much better to acquire wisdom than gold;To acquire understanding is preferable to silver. The highway of the upright avoids evil;Those who would preserve their lives watch their way. Pride goes before ruin,Arrogance, before failure. Better to be humble and among the lowlyThan to share spoils with the proud. One who is adept in a matter will attain success;Happy is the one who trusts in GOD. The wise-hearted are called discerning;Those whose speech is pleasing gain wisdom. Good sense is a fountain of life to those who have it,And folly is the punishment of fools. The mind of the wise makes their speech effectiveAnd increases the wisdom on their lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,Sweet to the palate and a cure for the body. The road ahead may seem right,But in the end it can be a road to death. The appetite of laborers labors for them,Because their hunger forces them on. A worthless man plots evil;What is on his lips is like a scorching fire. A shifty man stirs up strife,And a querulous one alienates his friend. A lawless man misleads his friend,Making him take the wrong way. He closes his eyes while meditating deception;He purses his lips while deciding upon evil. Gray hair is a crown of glory;It is attained by the way of righteousness. Better to be forbearing than mighty,To have self-control than to conquer a city. Lots are cast into the lap;The decision depends on GOD.

Proverbs 16:1–20 gathers a constellation of short sayings that orbit one center: the Lord orders what we cannot. From the tongue to the throne, from the scale to the heart, every line insists that human initiative is real but never sovereign.