Proverbs 16
16
1The plans of the heart belong to man,
but #[Matt. 10:19, 20]the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 # ch.
21:2; [ch.
12:15
]; See ch.
30:12 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord #ch. 24:12;See 1 Sam. 16:7weighs the spirit.#16:2 Or spirits
3 # See
Ps. 37:5
Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
4 #
Rom. 11:36 The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even #Job 21:30; [Ex. 9:16]the wicked for the day of trouble.
5Everyone who is arrogant in heart is #ch. 6:16, 17; 8:13; Luke 16:15 an abomination to the Lord;
# ch.
11:21; [ch.
28:20
] be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6By #Dan. 4:27 steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by #ch. 14:16 the fear of the Lord one #ver. 17; Job 28:28turns away from evil.
7When a man’s ways please the Lord,
# [
Gen. 26:28; 2 Chr. 17:10 ] he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 # See ch.
15:16
Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
9 # [ver. 1; ch.
19:21
] The heart of man plans his way,
but #ch. 20:24; [Ps. 37:23; Jer. 10:23]the Lord establishes his steps.
10 # [
1 Kgs. 3:28
] An oracle is on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 # See ch.
11:1
A just balance and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
12It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for #ch. 25:5; [ch. 20:28; 29:14; Isa. 16:5]the throne is established by righteousness.
13 # [ch.
14:35; 22:11 ] Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
14 # ch.
19:12; 20:2 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will #[ch. 25:15]appease it.
15 # [
Job 29:24
] In the light of a king’s face there is life,
and his #[See ver. 13 above] favor is like #[Ps. 72:6]; See Job 29:23the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 # ch.
8:10, 11, 19 How much better to get wisdom than #See ch. 3:14 gold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than #ch. 10:20silver.
17The highway of the upright #ver. 6turns aside from evil;
whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18 # See ch.
11:2
Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 # ch.
29:23; Isa. 57:15 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
than to #See Ex. 15:9divide the spoil with the proud.
20Whoever gives thought to the word#16:20 Or to a matter #ch. 19:8 will discover good,
and blessed is he #See Ps. 2:12who trusts in the Lord.
21The wise of heart is called discerning,
and sweetness of speech #ver. 23increases persuasiveness.
22Good sense is #See ch. 10:11a fountain of life to him who has it,
but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 # [
Ps. 37:30; Matt. 12:34 ] The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 # ch.
15:26 Gracious words are like #Ps. 19:10 a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and #See ch. 4:22health to the body.
25There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.#16:25 Hebrew ways of death
26A worker’s appetite works for him;
his #[Eccles. 6:7]mouth urges him on.
27 # [ch.
6:12, 14, 19 ] A worthless man plots evil,
and his speech#16:27 Hebrew what is on his lips is like #James 3:6a scorching fire.
28 # See ch.
15:18 A dishonest man spreads strife,
and #[ch. 18:8; 26:20, 22] a whisperer #ch. 17:9separates close friends.
29A man of violence #ch. 1:10entices his neighbor
and leads him in a way that is not good.
30Whoever winks his eyes plans#16:30 Hebrew to plan #See ch. 2:12 dishonest things;
he who #[ch. 6:13]purses his lips brings evil to pass.
31 # ch.
20:29 Gray hair is #ch. 17:6 a crown of glory;
it #See ch. 3:1, 2is gained in a righteous life.
32 # ch.
14:29; [ch.
19:11; 25:28 ] Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 # [
Acts 1:26
] The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is #ch. 29:26from the Lord.
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Proverbs 16: ESV
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