Proverbs 16

1 The plans of the mind belong to mortals, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

2 All one's ways may be pure in one's own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.

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

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

5 All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the Lord; be assured, they will not go unpunished.

6 By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.

7 When the ways of people please the Lord, he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.

8 Better is a little with righteousness than large income with injustice.

9 The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.

10 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.

11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag are his work.

12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves those who speak what is right.

14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and whoever is wise will appease it.

15 In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their way preserve their lives.

18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20 Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper, and happy are those who trust in the Lord.

21 The wise of heart is called perceptive, and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.

22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it, but folly is the punishment of fools.

23 The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious, and adds persuasiveness to their lips.

24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

25 Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right, but in the end it is the way to death.

26 The appetite of workers works for them; their hunger urges them on.

27 Scoundrels concoct evil, and their speech is like a scorching fire.

28 A perverse person spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

29 The violent entice their neighbors, and lead them in a way that is not good.

30 One who winks the eyes plans perverse things; one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.

31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.

32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is the Lord's alone.

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb [to plan]

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.