Proverbs 16

1 The plans of the heart belong to humans, but an answer on the tongue comes from the LORD.

2 A person thinks all his ways are pure, but the LORD weighs motives.

3 Entrust your efforts to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.

4 The LORD has made everything for his own purpose, even wicked people for the day of trouble.

5 Everyone with a conceited heart is disgusting to the LORD. Certainly, [such a person] will not go unpunished.

6 By mercy and faithfulness, peace is made with the LORD. By the fear of the LORD, evil is avoided.

7 When a person's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better a few [possessions] gained honestly than many gained through injustice.

9 A person may plan his own journey, but the LORD directs his steps.

10 When a divine revelation is on a king's lips, he cannot voice a wrong judgment.

11 Honest balances and scales belong to the LORD. He made the entire set of weights.

12 Wrongdoing is disgusting to kings because a throne is established through righteousness.

13 Kings are happy with honest words, and whoever speaks what is right is loved.

14 A king's anger announces death, but a wise man makes peace with him.

15 When the king is cheerful, there is life, and his favor is like a cloud bringing spring rain.

16 How much better it is to gain wisdom than gold, and the gaining of understanding should be chosen over silver.

17 The highway of decent people turns away from evil. Whoever watches his way preserves his own life.

18 Pride precedes a disaster, and an arrogant attitude precedes a fall.

19 Better to be humble with lowly people than to share stolen goods with arrogant people.

20 Whoever gives attention to the LORD's word prospers, and blessed is the person who trusts the LORD.

21 The person who is truly wise is called understanding, and speaking sweetly helps others learn.

22 Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, but stubborn fools punish themselves with their stupidity.

23 A wise person's heart controls his speech, and what he says helps others learn.

24 Pleasant words are [like] honey from a honeycomb-- sweet to the spirit and healthy for the body.

25 There is a way that seems right to a person, but eventually it ends in death.

26 A laborer's appetite works to his advantage, because his hunger drives him on.

27 A worthless person plots trouble, and his speech is like a burning fire.

28 A devious person spreads quarrels. A gossip separates the closest of friends.

29 A violent person misleads his neighbor and leads him on a path that is not good.

30 Whoever winks his eye is plotting something devious. Whoever bites his lips has finished his evil work.

31 Silver hair is a beautiful crown found in a righteous life.

32 Better to get angry slowly than to be a hero. Better to be even-tempered than to capture a city.

33 The dice are thrown, but the LORD determines every outcome.

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.