Proverbs 16

1 The designs of the heart are man's, but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord.

2 All a man's ways are clean to himself; but the Lord puts men's spirits into his scales.

3 Put your works into the hands of the Lord, and your purposes will be made certain.

4 The Lord has made everything for his purpose, even the sinner for the day of evil.

5 Everyone who has pride in his heart is disgusting to the Lord: he will certainly not go free from punishment.

6 By mercy and good faith evil-doing is taken away: and by the fear of the Lord men are turned away from evil.

7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his haters be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great wealth with wrongdoing.

9 A man may make designs for his way, but the Lord is the guide of his steps.

10 Decision is in the lips of the king: his mouth will not go wrong in judging.

11 True measures and scales are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.

12 Evil-doing is disgusting to kings: for the seat of the ruler is based on righteousness.

13 Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings; and he who says what is upright is dear to him.

14 The wrath of the king is like those who give news of death, but a wise man will put peace in place of it.

15 In the light of the king's face there is life; and his approval is like a cloud of spring rain.

16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get knowledge is more to be desired than silver.

17 The highway of the upright is to be turned away from evil: he who takes care of his way will keep his soul.

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

19 Better it is to have a gentle spirit with the poor, than to take part in the rewards of war with men of pride.

20 He who gives attention to the law of right will get good; and whoever puts his faith in the Lord is happy.

21 The wise-hearted will be named men of good sense: and by pleasing words learning is increased.

22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it; but the punishment of the foolish is their foolish behaviour.

23 The heart of the wise man is the teacher of his mouth, and gives increased learning to his lips.

24 Pleasing words are like honey, sweet to the soul and new life to the bones.

25 There is a way which seems straight before a man, but its end is the ways of death.

26 The desire of the working man is working for him, for his need of food is driving him on.

27 A good-for-nothing man is a designer of evil, and in his lips there is a burning fire.

28 A man of twisted purposes is a cause of fighting everywhere: and he who says evil secretly makes trouble between friends.

29 A violent man puts desire of evil into his neighbour's mind, and makes him go in a way which is not good.

30 He whose eyes are shut is a man of twisted purposes, and he who keeps his lips shut tight makes evil come about.

31 The grey head is a crown of glory, if it is seen in the way of righteousness.

32 He who is slow to be angry is better than a man of war, and he who has control over his spirit than he who takes a town.

33 A thing may be put to the decision of chance, but it comes about through 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.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

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.