Proverbs 16

1 Of man are the preparations of the heart, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirits.
3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4 The LORD has made all things by himself, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; the covenant that he makes, shall not be without chastening.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged, and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than a great number of fruits with injustice.
9 The heart of man devises his way, but the LORD directs his steps.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; his mouth does not transgress in judgment.
11 A just weight and balance are the LORD’s; all the weights of the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness, for the throne is to be established with righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him that speaks that which is right.
14 The wrath of the king is as a messenger of death, but the wise man will avoid it.
15 In the light of the king’s countenance is life, and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better is it to acquire wisdom than gold! and to acquire understanding is worth more than silver!
17 The highway of the upright is to separate himself from evil; he that keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to humble your spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He who has understanding in the word shall find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
21 The wise in heart is called a man of understanding; and the sweetness of the lips shall increase doctrine.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise causes his mouth to be prudent, and with his lips he shall increase doctrine.
24 Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and medicine to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26 The soul of him that labours, labours for himself; for his mouth craves it of him.
27 The man of Belial digs in search of evil, and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28 The perverse man sows strife, and the tale bearer separates princes.
29 The evil man flatters his neighbour and leads him into the way that is not good.
30 He shuts his eyes to devise perverse things; moving his lips he brings evil to pass.
31 Old age is a crown of glory if it is found in the way of righteousness.
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but the judgment thereof is of the LORD.

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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.

Proverbs 16 Commentaries

The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010