Proverbs 16

1 To mortals [belong] the plans of the heart, but from Yahweh [comes] the answer of the tongue.

2 All the ways of a man [are] pure in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the spirit.

3 Commit your work to Yahweh, and your plans will be established.

4 All Yahweh has made [is] for his purpose, and even the wicked for the day of trouble.

5 An abomination of Yahweh [are] all who are arrogant of heart; {rest assured}, he will not go unpunished.

6 By loyalty and faithfulness, iniquity will be covered over, and by fear of Yahweh {one turns} from evil.

7 When the ways of a man are pleasing [to] Yahweh, even his enemies he will cause to make peace with him.

8 Better is little with righteousness than great income with no justice.

9 The {mind} of a person will plan his ways, and Yahweh will direct his steps.

10 A decision is upon the lips of a king; in judgment his mouth will not sin.

11 A balance and scales of justice [belong] to Yahweh; all the weights of the bag [are] his work.

12 An abomination to kings [is] doing evil, for by righteousness the throne will be established.

13 The delight of kings [are] the lips of righteousness, and he who speaks what is upright he will love.

14 The wrath of a king [is] a messenger of death, but one who is wise will appease it.

15 In the light of the face of the king [there is] life, and his favor [is] like a cloud of spring rain.

16 Getting wisdom: {how much} better than gold! And getting understanding: it is chosen {over} silver.

17 The highway of the upright, it turns from evil, he who guards himself keeps his way.

18 Before destruction [comes] pride, and before a fall, a haughty spirit.

19 Better a lowly spirit with the poor than dividing the spoil with the proud.

20 He who is attentive to a matter will find goodness, and he who trusts in Yahweh, his own happiness.

21 The wise of heart is called perceptive, but he who is pleasant of lips will increase persuasiveness.

22 A fountain of life is wisdom for its owner, but the instruction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise will make his mouth judicious, and upon his lips, it will add persuasiveness.

24 Pleasant sayings [are] a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and healing to the bones.

25 There is a way [that seems] upright {to} a man, but its end [is] the way of death.

26 The life of a worker works for him, for his {hunger} urges him.

27 A man of wickedness concocts evil, and his lips [are] like a scorching fire.

28 A person of perversity will spread dissent, and he who whispers separates a close friend.

29 A person of violence will entice his neighbor and cause him to walk on a way [that is] not good.

30 He who winks his eyes [does so in order] to plan perverse things; he who purses his lips will bring evil to pass.

31 A crown of glory is gray hair; by a righteous life it is gained.

32 He who is slow to anger [is] better than him who is mighty, and he who controls his spirit than him who captures a city.

33 The lot will be cast into the lap, but all of its decisions are from Yahweh.

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "breath"
• [b]. Or "its"
• [c]. Or "mind"
• [d]. Literally "hand to hand"
• [e]. Or "atoned for"
• [f]. Literally "turning"
• [g]. Literally "heart"
• [h]. Or "atone, cover over"
• [i]. Literally "what"
• [j]. Literally "from"
• [k]. Or "soul," or "inner self"
• [l]. Hebrew "a haughty of spirit"
• [m]. Or "mind"
• [n]. Or "master"
• [o]. Or "punishment"
• [p]. Or "mind"
• [q]. Or "he"
• [r]. Literally "to the face of"
• [s]. Or "soul," or "inner self"
• [t]. Literally "mouth"
• [u]. Literally "nostrils"

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.