Proverbs 16

1 Of man [are] arrangements of the heart, And from Jehovah an answer of the tongue.

2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering the spirits.

3 Roll unto Jehovah thy works, And established are thy purposes,

4 All things hath Jehovah wrought for Himself, And also the wicked [worketh] for a day of evil.

5 An abomination to Jehovah [is] every proud one of heart, Hand to hand he is not acquitted.

6 In kindness and truth pardoned is iniquity, And in the fear of Jehovah Turn thou aside from evil.

7 When a man's ways please Jehovah, even his enemies, He causeth to be at peace with him.

8 Better [is] a little with righteousness, Than abundance of increase without justice.

9 The heart of man deviseth his way, And Jehovah establisheth his step.

10 An oath [is] on the lips of a king, In judgment his mouth trespasseth not.

11 A just beam and balances [are] Jehovah's, His work [are] all the stones of the bag.

12 An abomination to kings [is] doing wickedness, For by righteousness is a throne established.

13 The delight of kings [are] righteous lips, And whoso is speaking uprightly he loveth,

14 The fury of a king [is] messengers of death, And a wise man pacifieth it.

15 In the light of a king's face [is] life, And his good-will [is] as a cloud of the latter rain.

16 To get wisdom -- how much better than gold, And to get understanding to be chosen than silver!

17 A highway of the upright [is], `Turn from evil,' Whoso is preserving his soul is watching his way.

18 Before destruction [is] pride, And before stumbling -- a haughty spirit.'

19 Better is humility of spirit with the poor, Than to apportion spoil with the proud.

20 The wise in any matter findeth good, And whoso is trusting in Jehovah, O his happiness.

21 To the wise in heart is called, `Intelligent,' And sweetness of lips increaseth learning.

22 A fountain of life [is] understanding to its possessors, The instruction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise causeth his mouth to act wisely, And by his lips he increaseth learning,

24 Sayings of pleasantness [are] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone.

25 There is a way right before a man, And its latter end -- ways of death.

26 A labouring man hath laboured for himself, For his mouth hath caused [him] to bend over it.

27 A worthless man is preparing evil, And on his lips -- as a burning fire.

28 A froward man sendeth forth contention, A tale-bearer is separating a familiar friend.

29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, And hath causeth him to go in a way not good.

30 Consulting his eyes to devise froward things, Moving his lips he hath accomplished evil.

31 A crown of beauty [are] grey hairs, In the way of righteousness it is found.

32 Better [is] the slow to anger than the mighty, And the ruler over his spirit than he who is taking a city.

33 Into the centre is the lot cast, And from Jehovah [is] all its judgment!

Proverbs 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.