Proverbs 16:1-19

1 The plans of the mind belong to mortals, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

2 All one's ways may be pure in one's own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.

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

4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

5 All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the Lord; be assured, they will not go unpunished.

6 By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.

7 When the ways of people please the Lord, he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.

8 Better is a little with righteousness than large income with injustice.

9 The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.

10 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.

11 Honest balances 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 the throne is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves those who speak what is right.

14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and whoever is wise will appease it.

15 In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their way preserve their lives.

18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Proverbs 16:1-19 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.