Proverbs 16:2-12

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Proverbs 16:2-12 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]. Lit weighs spirits
• [b]. Pr 17:3; 19:21; 21:2
• [c]. Ps 37:4-5
• [d]. Rm 9:21-22
• [e]. Pr 6:16-17; 8:13; 2 Ch 32:25
• [f]. Lit hand to hand
• [g]. Pr 11:21; 16:18; Ps 101:5
• [h]. Jb 28:28; Pr 3:7
• [i]. Or he
• [j]. Pr 15:16-17; 16:19; 28:6; Ps 37:16
• [k]. Pr 16:1; 19:21; 20:24
• [l]. Or A divination is on the lips of a king
• [m]. 2 Sm 14:17,20
• [n]. Pr 18:14-15; 2 Sm 23:2-3
• [o]. Merchants kept the stones for their balance scales in a bag.
• [p]. Pr 11:1; Lv 19:36; Ezk 45:10; Mc 6:11
• [q]. Whether the wicked behavior is on the part of the king or someone else is ambiguous in Hb.
• [r]. Pr 25:5; Ps 101