Proverbs16
World English Bible · Public Domain
1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.
2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the motives.
3Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.
4Yahweh has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh; they shall certainly not be unpunished.
6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.
7When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
9A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.
10Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
11Honest balances and scales are Yahweh’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.
12It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
13Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
14The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
20He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
26The appetite of the laboring man labors for him, for his mouth urges him on.
27A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
28A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
29A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
30One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
31Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
32One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.
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