Proverbs 16:1-16

1 The reflections of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.^[a]

2 All a man's ways seem right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the motives.^{[b] [c]}

3 Commit your activities to the Lord and your plans will be achieved.^[d]

4 The Lord has prepared everything for His purpose- even the wicked for the day of disaster.^[e]

5 Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord;^[f] be assured,^[g] he will not go unpunished.^[h]

6 Wickedness is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.^[i]

7 When a man's ways please the Lord, He^[j] makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.^[k]

9 A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.^[l]

10 God's verdict is on the lips of a king;^{[m] [n]} his mouth should not err in judgment.^[o]

11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag^[p] are His concern.^[q]

12 Wicked behavior^[r] is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness.^[s]

13 Righteous lips are a king's delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly.

14 A king's fury is a messenger of death, but a wise man appeases it.^[t]

15 When a king's face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

16 Acquire wisdom- how much better it is than gold! And acquire understanding- it is preferable to silver.^[u]

Proverbs 16:1-16 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Pr 16:9; 19:21
• [b]. Lit weighs spirits
• [c]. Pr 17:3; 19:21; 21:2
• [d]. Ps 37:4-5
• [e]. Rm 9:21-22
• [f]. Pr 6:16-17; 8:13; 2 Ch 32:25
• [g]. Lit hand to hand
• [h]. Pr 11:21; 16:18; Ps 101:5
• [i]. Jb 28:28; Pr 3:7
• [j]. Or he
• [k]. Pr 15:16-17; 16:19; 28:6; Ps 37:16
• [l]. Pr 16:1; 19:21; 20:24
• [m]. Or A divination is on the lips of a king
• [n]. 2 Sm 14:17,20
• [o]. Pr 18:14-15; 2 Sm 23:2-3
• [p]. Merchants kept the stones for their balance scales in a bag.
• [q]. Pr 11:1; Lv 19:36; Ezk 45:10; Mc 6:11
• [r]. Whether the wicked behavior is on the part of the king or someone else is ambiguous in Hb.
• [s]. Pr 25:5; Ps 101
• [t]. Ec 10:4
• [u]. Pr 3:14; 8:10,19; 22:1