Proverbs 16

1 To people belong the plans of the heart, but the answer of the tongue comes from the LORD.

2 All the ways of people are pure in their eyes, but the LORD tests the motives.

3 Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.

4 The LORD made everything for a purpose, even the wicked for an evil day.

5 The LORD detests all who are arrogant; they surely won't go unpunished.

6 Love and faithfulness reconcile guilt; the fear of the LORD turns away evil.

7 When people draw favor from the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them.

8 Better a little with righteousness than great profits without justice.

9 People plan their path, but the LORD secures their steps.

10 A king's speech is like an oracle; in a judgment, one can't go against his words.

11 Honest balances and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his doing.

12 Kings detest wicked deeds, for their thrones are founded on righteousness.

13 Kings favor those with righteous lips; they love words of integrity.

14 The king's anger is a messenger of death; the wise will calm him.

15 There's life in the light of the king's face. His favor is like a cloud that brings spring rain.

16 Acquiring wisdom is much better than gold, and acquiring understanding is better than silver.

17 The road of those who do right turns away from evil; those who protect their path guard their lives.

18 Pride comes before disaster, and arrogance before a fall.

19 Better to be humble with the needy than to divide plunder with the proud.

20 Those with insight find prosperity; those who trust the LORD are blessed.

21 The skilled mind is called discerning, and pleasant speech enhances teaching.

22 One who has insight is a fountain of life, but the instruction of the foolish is folly.

23 The mind of the wise makes their speech insightful and enhances the teaching of their lips.

24 Pleasant words are flowing honey, sweet to the taste and healing to the bones.

25 There is a path that may seem straight to someone, but in the end it is the path of death.

26 The appetite of workers labors for them, for their hunger presses them on.

27 Worthless people dig up trouble; their lips are like a scorching fire.

28 Destructive people produce conflict; gossips alienate close friends.

29 Violent people entice their neighbors and walk them down a path that isn't good.

30 Those who wink their eye plot destruction; those who purse their lips plan evil.

31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is found on the path of righteousness.

32 Better to be patient than a warrior, and better to have self-control than to capture a city.

33 The dice are cast into the lap; all decisions are from the LORD.

Proverbs 16 Commentary

Chapter 16

Verse 1 The renewing grace of God alone prepares the heart for every good work. This teaches us that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing wise and good. Verse 2 . Ignorance, pride, and self-flattery render us partial judges respecting our own conduct. Verse 3 . Roll the burden of thy care upon God, and leave it with him, by faith and dependence on him. Verse 4 . God makes use of the wicked to execute righteous vengeance on each other; and he will be glorified by their destruction at last. Verse 5 . Though sinners strengthen themselves and one another, they shall not escape God's judgments. Verse 6 . By the mercy and truth of God in Christ Jesus, the sins of believers are taken away, and the power of sin is broken. Verse 7 . He that has all hearts in his hand, can make a man's enemies to be at peace with him. Verse 8 . A small estate, honestly come by, will turn to better account than a great estate ill-gotten. Verse 9 . If men make God's glory their end, and his will their rule, he will direct their steps by his Spirit and grace. 10. Let kings and judges of the earth be just, and rule in the fear of God. Verse 11 . To observe justice in dealings between man and man is God's appointment. Verse 12 . The ruler that uses his power aright, will find that to be his best security. Verse 13 . Put those in power who know how to ( proverbs 16:14-15 ) the favour of an earthly prince, throw themselves out of God's favour. Verse 16 . There is joy and satisfaction of spirit, only in getting wisdom. Verse 17 . A sincerely religious man keeps at a distance from every appearance of evil. Happy is the man that walks in Christ, and is led by the Spirit of Christ. Verse 18 . When men defy God's judgments, and think themselves far from them, it is a sign they are at the door. Let us not fear the pride of others, but fear pride in ourselves. Verse 19 . Humility, though it exposes to contempt in the world, is much better than high-spiritedness, which makes God an enemy. He that understands God's word shall find good. Verse 21 . The man whose wisdom dwells in his heart, will be found more truly prudent than many who possess shining talents. Verse 22 . As waters to a thirsty land, so is a wise man to his friends and neighbours. Verse 23 . The wise man's self-knowledge, always suggests something proper to be spoken to others. Verse 24 . The word of God cures the diseases that weaken our souls. Verse 25 . This is caution to all, to take heed of deceiving themselves as to their souls. Verse 26 . We must labour for the meat which endureth to everlasting life, or we must perish. ( proverbs 16:27-28 ) be needful to do good. The whisperer separates friends: what a ( proverbs 16:29-30 ) mischief they can by force and violence, and are blind to the result. Verse 31 . Old people especially should be found in the way of religion and godliness. Verse 32 . To overcome our own passions, requires more steady management, than obtaining victory over an enemy. Verse 33 . All the disposal of Providence concerning our affairs, we must look upon to be the determining what we referred to God; and we must be reconciled to them accordingly. Blessed are those that give themselves up to the will of God; for he knows what is good for them.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 6

This chapter gives an account of the building of the temple, for which preparations were before made and begins with the time of its building, 1Ki 6:1; gives the dimensions of it and the porch before it, 1Ki 6:2,3; observes the windows in it and chambers about it, 1Ki 6:4-10; and while it was building, Solomon had a word from the Lord relative to it, 1Ki 6:11-14; and then the account goes on concerning the walls of the house, and the flooring of it, 1Ki 6:15-18; and the oracle in it, and the cherubim in that, 1Ki 6:19-30; and the doors into it, and the carved work of them, 1Ki 6:31-36; and the chapter is concluded with observing the time when it was begun and finished 1Ki 6:37,38.