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¶ THE reasoning of the mind is from man;
but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
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¶ All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes;
but the LORD directs his way.
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Commit your works to the LORD, and he will establish your thoughts.
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¶ All the works of the LORD are for those who will hearken to him;
but the wicked are reserved for the day of calamity.
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Every one who is proud in his heart is an abomination to the LORD;
and he who stretches out his hand against his neighbor shall not be pardoned because of this evil.
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¶ By mercy and truth iniquity is purged;
and reverence of the LORD causes men to depart from evil.
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When a man’s ways are according to the will of the LORD, even to his enemies he shall recompense.
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Better is a little with righteousness than great ingathering acquired unjustly.
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¶ A man’s heart devises his ways;
but the LORD directs his steps.
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Oracles are on the lips of the king;
his mouth does not err in judgment.
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¶ The weight of a just balance is the LORD’S judgment;
all his works are just weights.
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Kings who commit wickedness are an abomination;
for a throne is established by righteousness.
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¶ The lips of a righteous man are the delight of a king;
and he loves the word of the upright.
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¶ The wrath of a king is as messengers of death;
but a wise man will pacify it.
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In the light of the king’s countenance is life;
and his favor is like a cloud of the early rain.
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¶ To get wisdom is much better than gold;
and to get understanding is better than silver.
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¶ The path of the upright causes one to turn away from evil;
he who is careful of his soul safeguards his way.
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Disgrace goes before destruction, and pride before misfortune.
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¶ It is better to be humble and lowly in pride than he who divides spoil with the mighty.
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¶ He who understands a command shall find good;
who trusts in the LORD, happy is he!
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¶ The wise in heart is a man of discernment;
and he whose speech is sweet increases learning.
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Understanding is a spring of life to those who have it;
but the instruction of the fools is folly.
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¶ The heart of the wise understands the speech of his mouth and adds learning to his lips.
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¶ The speech of a wise man is like honeycomb, sweet to his soul, and health to his bones.
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There is a way that seems right in the eyes of men, but the paths thereof are the paths of death.
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¶ A sorrowful person grieves himself;
from his own mouth comes his destruction.
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¶ An ungodly man devises evil;
out of his mouth issues a burning fire.
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A wicked man threatens justice and persecutes his neighbor without cause.
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¶ A wicked man entices his neighbor and leads him into the way that is not good.
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He winks his eyes and devises corrupt things;
he purposes with his lips and accomplishes mischief.
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¶ The hoary head is a crown of glory and is exalted in the way of righteousness.
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¶ He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty;
and he who conquers himself than he who takes a city.
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¶ The evil of the vicious falls into his own bosom;
and his judgment proceeds from before the LORD.