The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD 1 CPDV It is for man to prepare the soul, and for the Lord to govern the tongue. BSB BSB: The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 CPDV All the ways of a man are open to his eyes; the Lord is the one who weighs spirits. BSB BSB: All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
3 CPDV Open your works to the Lord, and your intentions will be set in order. BSB BSB: Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
4 CPDV The Lord has wrought all things because of himself. Likewise the impious is for the evil day. BSB BSB: The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster.
5 CPDV All the arrogant are an abomination to the Lord. Even if hand will be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice. And this is more acceptable with God than to immolate sacrifices. BSB BSB: Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
6 CPDV By mercy and truth, iniquity is redeemed. And by the fear of the Lord, one turns away from evil. BSB BSB: By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.
7 CPDV When the ways of man will please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace. BSB BSB: When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
8 CPDV Better is a little with justice, than many fruits with iniquity. BSB BSB: Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
9 CPDV The heart of man disposes his way. But it is for Lord to direct his steps. BSB BSB: A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
10 CPDV Foreknowledge is in the lips of the king. His mouth shall not err in judgment. BSB BSB: A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
11 CPDV Weights and scales are judgments of the Lord. And all the stones in the bag are his work. BSB BSB: Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
12 CPDV Those who act impiously are abominable to the king. For the throne is made firm by justice. BSB BSB: Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
13 CPDV Just lips are the will of kings. He who speaks honestly shall be loved. BSB BSB: Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
14 CPDV The indignation of a king is a herald of death. And the wise man will appease it. BSB BSB: The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15 CPDV In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance, there is life. And his clemency is like belated rain. BSB BSB: When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 CPDV Possess wisdom, for it is better than gold. And acquire prudence, for it is more precious than silver. BSB BSB: How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
17 CPDV The path of the just turns away from evils. He who guards his soul preserves his way. BSB BSB: The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
18 CPDV Arrogance precedes destruction. And the spirit is exalted before a fall. BSB BSB: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 CPDV It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the arrogant. BSB BSB: It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 CPDV The learned in word shall find good things. And whoever hopes in the Lord is blessed. BSB BSB: Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
21 CPDV Whoever is wise in heart shall be called prudent. And whoever is sweet in eloquence shall attain to what is greater. BSB BSB: The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
22 CPDV Learning is a fountain of life to one who possesses it. The doctrine of the foolish is senseless. BSB BSB: Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 CPDV The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth and add grace to his lips. BSB BSB: The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 CPDV Careful words are a honeycomb: sweet to the soul and healthful to the bones. BSB BSB: Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 CPDV There is a way which seems right to a man, and its end result leads to death. BSB BSB: There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
26 CPDV The soul of the laborer labors for himself, because his mouth has driven him to it. BSB BSB: A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
27 CPDV The impious man digs up evil, and in his lips is a burning fire. BSB BSB: A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 CPDV A perverse man stirs up lawsuits. And one who is verbose divides leaders. BSB BSB: A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
29 CPDV A man of iniquity entices his friend, and he leads him along a way that is not good. BSB BSB: A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
30 CPDV Whoever, with astonished eyes, thinks up depravities, biting his lips, accomplishes evil. BSB BSB: He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
31 CPDV Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice. BSB BSB: Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
32 CPDV A patient man is better than a strong one. And whoever rules his soul is better than one who assaults cities. BSB BSB: He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
33 CPDV Lots are cast into the lap, but they are tempered by the Lord. BSB BSB: The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.