Proverbs 16:1-9

1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but ¹the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

2 ²All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord ³weighs the spirit.

3 ⁴Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

4 ⁵The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even ⁶the wicked for the day of trouble.

5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is ⁷an abomination to the Lord; ⁸be assured, he will not go unpunished.

6 By ⁹steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by ¹⁰the fear of the Lord one ¹¹turns away from evil.

7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, ¹²he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 ¹³Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.

9 ¹⁴The heart of man plans his way, but ¹⁵the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:1-9 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. 16:1 [Matt. 10:19, 20]
• 2. 16:2 ch. 21:2; [ch. 12:15]; See ch. 30:12
• 3. 16:2 ch. 24:12; See 1 Sam. 16:7
• 4. 16:3 See Ps. 37:5
• 5. 16:4 Rom. 11:36
• 6. 16:4 Job 21:30; [Ex. 9:16]
• 7. 16:5 ch. 6:16, 17; 8:13; Luke 16:15
• 8. 16:5 ch. 11:21; [ch. 28:20]
• 9. 16:6 Dan. 4:27
• 10. 16:6 ch. 14:16
• 11. 16:6 ver. 17; Job 28:28
• 12. 16:7 [Gen. 26:28; 2 Chr. 17:10]
• 13. 16:8 See ch. 15:16
• 14. 16:9 [ver. 1; ch. 19:21]
• 15. 16:9 ch. 20:24; [Ps. 37:23; Jer. 10:23]