Proverbs 16

1 A person is responsible to prepare his heart, but how the tongue speaks is from ADONAI.

2 All a man's ways are pure in his own view, but ADONAI weighs the spirit.

3 If you entrust all you do to ADONAI, your plans will achieve success.

4 ADONAI made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of disaster.

5 ADONAI detests all those with proud hearts; be assured that they will not go unpunished.

6 Grace and truth atone for iniquity, and people turn from evil through fear of ADONAI.

7 When a man's ways please ADONAI, he makes even the man's enemies be at peace with him.

8 Better a little with righteousness than a huge income with injustice.

9 A person may plan his path, but ADONAI directs his steps.

10 Divine inspiration is on the lips of the king, so his mouth must be faithful when he judges.

11 The balance and scales of justice have their origin in ADONAI; all the weights in the bag are his doing.

12 It is an abomination for a king to do evil, for the throne is made secure by righteousness.

13 The king should delight in righteous lips, and he should love someone who speaks what is right.

14 The king's anger is a herald of death, and one who is wise will appease it.

15 When the king's face brightens, it means life; his favor is like the clouds that bring spring rain.

16 How much better than gold it is to gain wisdom! Yes, rather than money, choose to gain understanding.

17 Avoiding evil is the highway of the upright; he who watches his step preserves his life.

18 Pride goes before destruction, and arrogance before failure.

19 Better to be humble among the poor than share the spoil with the proud.

20 He who has skill in a matter will succeed; he who trusts in ADONAI will be happy.

21 A wise-hearted person is said to have discernment, and sweetness of speech adds to learning.

22 Common sense is a fountain of life to one who has it, whereas fools are punished by their own folly.

23 The wise man's heart teaches his mouth, and to his lips it adds learning.

24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the taste and healing for the body.

25 There can be a way which seems right to a person, but at its end are the ways of death.

26 A working man's appetite acts on his behalf, because his hunger presses him on.

27 A worthless person digs up evil [gossip] it is like scorching fire on his lips.

28 A deceitful person stirs up strife, and a slanderer can separate even close friends.

29 A violent man lures his neighbor astray and leads him into evil ways.

30 One who winks knowingly is planning deceit; one who pinches his lips together has already done wrong.

31 White hair is a crown of honor obtained by righteous living.

32 He who controls his temper is better than a war hero, he who rules his spirit better than he who captures a city.

33 One can cast lots into one's lap, but the decision comes from ADONAI.

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.