Proverbs16
King James Version · Public Domain
1The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.
2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.
3Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
7When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11A just weight and balance are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
15In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 16.
v1
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.
v2
Ignorance, pride, and self-flattery render us partial judges respecting our own conduct.
v3
Roll the burden of thy care upon God, and leave it with him, by faith and dependence on him.
Key Words
מַעֲרָךְ: an arrangement, i.e. (figuratively) mental disposition
לֵב: the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
אָדָם: ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
מַעֲנֶה: a reply (favorable or contradictory)
לָשׁוֹן: the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of water)
מִן: properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דֶּרֶךְ: a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אִישׁ: a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
זַךְ: clear
Cross References
Proverbs 16Internal Proverbs parallel: man's heart devises his way, but God directs his steps.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Uses identical phrase 'though hand join in hand' regarding the certainty of the wicked's punishment.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The coupling of 'mercy and truth' in relation to purging sin and divine reconciliation.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Repeats the theme: better is little with the fear of the Lord than great revenues.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Contrasts the pride going before destruction with humility/fear of the Lord preceding honor.
Supported by JFB
Parallel regarding man's self-deception; ways seeming clean/right to him, but ending in death.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbatim parallel: man's ways are right in his own eyes, but God weigheth/pondereth the hearts.
Supported by JFB
Direct conceptual link to 'commit' (literally, roll) your way or works unto the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Theological parallel of the wicked prepared/fitted for the day of wrath and evil.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
New Testament parallel regarding the tongue or lips being compared to a defiling, burning fire.
Supported by JFB
Matches the bodily gestures (shutting eyes, moving/biting lips) of the froward, violent schemer.
Supported by JFB
The symmetrical counterpart in this chapter asserting God's ultimate control over man's steps.
Supported by JFB
Affirms the blessedness of 'whoso trusteth in the Lord' as seen in the Psalms.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates the enticement of the violent man leading his neighbor into evil paths.
Supported by JFB
Compares the 'hoary head' (gray hair) as beauty/glory when linked with righteousness.
Supported by JFB