Proverbs 16:5-15

5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is 1an abomination to the LORD; 2be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 By 3steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by 4the fear of the LORD one 5turns away from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the LORD, 6he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 7Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
9 8The heart of man plans his way, but 9the LORD establishes his steps.
10 10An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 11A just balance and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for 12the throne is established by righteousness.
13 13Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.
14 14A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will 15appease it.
15 16In the light of a king's face there is life, and his 17favor is like 18the clouds that bring the spring rain.

Proverbs 16:5-15 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Cross References 18

  • 1. Proverbs 6:16, 17; Proverbs 8:13; Luke 16:15
  • 2. Proverbs 11:21; [Proverbs 28:20]
  • 3. Daniel 4:27
  • 4. Proverbs 14:16
  • 5. ver. 17; Job 28:28
  • 6. [Genesis 26:28; 2 Chronicles 17:10]
  • 7. See Proverbs 15:16
  • 8. [ver. 1; Proverbs 19:21]
  • 9. Proverbs 20:24; [Psalms 37:23; Jeremiah 10:23]
  • 10. [1 Kings 3:28]
  • 11. See Proverbs 11:1
  • 12. Proverbs 25:5; [Proverbs 20:28; Proverbs 29:14; Isaiah 16:5]
  • 13. [Proverbs 14:35; Proverbs 22:11]
  • 14. Proverbs 19:12; Proverbs 20:2
  • 15. [Proverbs 25:15]
  • 16. [Job 29:24]
  • 17. [See ver. 13 above]
  • 18. [Psalms 72:6]; See Job 29:23
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.