Mishle 16

1 6 The plans of the lev belong to adam, and the answer of the lashon is from Hashem.

2 All the drakhei ish are pure in his own eynayim, but Hashem weigheth the ruchot.

3 Commit thy ma’asim (works) unto Hashem, and thy plans shall be established.

4 Hashem works out all things for Himself, indeed, even the rasha (wicked) for the Yom Ra’ah (day of evil).

5 Every one that is proud in lev is to’evat Hashem; though yad join in yad, he shall not go unpunished.

6 By chesed and emes avon is purged, and by the Yirat Hashem men depart from rah.

7 When drakhei ish please Hashem, He maketh even his oyevim to be in shalom with him.

8 Better is a little with tzedakah than great revenues without mishpat (justice).

9 The lev adam plans his derech, but Hashem directeth his steps.

10 A kesem (oracle) is on the sfatayim (lips) of Melech, his peh (mouth) must not betray mishpat.

11 A just weight and balance are Hashem’s, all the weights of the bag are His concern.

12 It is to’evat melachim to commit resha (wickedness), for the kisse is established through tzedakah.

13 Sfatayim (lips) of tzedek are the delight of melachim; and they love him that speaketh yesharim (upright things).

14 The wrath of a melech is as malachim of mavet, but an ish chacham will appease it.

15 In the light of the countenance of melech is chayyim, and his favor is like the cloud of a spring rain.

16 How much better is it to acquire chochmah than zahav, and acquiring binah (understanding) a better choice than kesef!

17 The mesilat yesharim (highway of the upright) is to depart from rah; he that guards his derech is shomer over his nefesh (soul).

18 Ga’on (pride) goeth before shever (destruction), and a ruach of haughtiness before a fall.

19 Better it is to be of a humble ruach among the anayim, than to divide the plunder with the proud.

20 He that wisely heeds the Davar shall find tov (good), and he who trusteth in Hashem, happy is he.

21 The chacham lev shall be called prudent, and the sweetness of the sfatayim (lips) adds to learning.

22 Seichel is a Makor Chayyim unto him that hath it, but the musar (instruction, discipline) of fools is folly.

23 The lev chacham guides his peh (mouth), and addeth learning to his sfatayim (lips).

24 Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the nefesh, and marpeh (healing) to the atzmot (bones).

25 There is a derech that seemeth yashar (right) before an ish, but its acharit (future, latter end) is the drakhei mavet.

26 The nefesh (appetite) of the laborer works for him, for his peh (mouth) of hunger driveth him on.

27 An ish Beliya’al diggeth up ra’ah, and in his sfatayim (lips) there is as a scorching eish.

28 A perverse ish soweth madon (strife, dissension), and a whisperer separateth close friends.

29 An ish chamas enticeth his re’a, and leadeth him into the derech that is not good.

30 He winking his eynayim to plot perverse things, compressing his sfatayim (lips), bringeth ra’ah to pass.

31 The silvery hair is an ateret tiferet; it is found in the derech tzedakah.

32 He that is slow to anger is better than the gibbor; and he that ruleth his ruach than he that captures a city.

33 The goral is cast into the kheyk (lap), but the whole decision thereof is from Hashem.

Mishle 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.