Proverbs 16
Proverbs 16 presents pivotal events and lessons, emphasizing themes like faith, obedience, and God’s faithful guidance.
Summary
Proverbs 16 continues the story of Proverbs, revealing key themes of faith, obedience, and God’s promise-keeping. This chapter illustrates the human response to divine commands, showing both trust and failure, and demonstrates God’s mercy and justice. As part of the larger narrative, it lays groundwork for understanding God’s covenant relationship with His people and points forward to the hope of redemption. Readers are encouraged to reflect on their own lives, to trust in God’s plans, and to live in faithful obedience, finding hope in His unchanging character.
Primarily attributed to Solomon, with contributions from others (10th–6th century BC). Wisdom sayings.
Proverbs 16: KJV Commentary and Summary
1 The preparations of the heart in man, and 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 weigheth the spirits.
3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4 The LORD hath made all [things] for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
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 maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better [is] a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
10 A divine sentence [is] in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not 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 established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
14 The wrath of a king [is as] messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify 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 get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17 The highway of the upright [is] to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better [it is to be] of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy [is] he.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Understanding [is] a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools [is] folly.
23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words [are as] an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.
26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips [there is] as a burning fire.
28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way [that is] not good.
30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31 The hoary head [is] a crown of glory, [if] it be found in the way of righteousness.
32 [He that is] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the LORD.
Faith, Obedience, God’s Promises, Judgment, Mercy, Hope
Proverbs 16:1 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.; Proverbs 16:17 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.; Proverbs 16:33 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.