Proverbs 16:1-6

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

1 The ¹plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the ²LORD weighs the motives.

3 ³Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established.

4 The LORD ⁴has made everything for its own purpose, Even the ⁵wicked for the day of evil.

5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

6 By ⁶lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the ⁷fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.

Proverbs 16:1-6 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

• 1. Proverbs 16:9; Proverbs 19:21
• 2. 1 Samuel 16:7; Daniel 5:27
• 3. Psalms 37:5; Psalms 55:22; Proverbs 3:6; 1 Peter 5:7
• 4. Genesis 1:31; Ecclesiastes 3:11
• 5. Romans 9:22
• 6. Daniel 4:27; Luke 11:41
• 7. Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 14:16

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "spirits"
• [b]. Lit "Roll"
• [c]. Or "His"
• [d]. Or "reverence"