Proverbs 16 WBT
Summary: This chapter teaches divine sovereignty over human affairs, declaring "the LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble" (v. 4), and counsels, "commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established" (v. 3). It contains the famous warning that "pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (v. 18), and values wisdom above gold and understanding above silver. The chapter closes praising "gray hair" as "a crown of glory" gained in righteous living (v. 31), and honoring the one "slow to anger" as better than a mighty warrior, while noting that though the lot is cast into the lap, its every decision is from the LORD.
1The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, [are] from the LORD.
2All the ways of a man [are] clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
3Commit thy works to the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4The LORD hath made all [things] for himself: yes, 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.
12[It 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 a king's countenance [is] life; and his favor [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 a haughty spirit before a fall.
19Better [it is to be] of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoever 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 well-spring of life to 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] a honey-comb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25There is a way that seemeth right to a man, but the end of it [is] the ways of death.
26He that laboreth laboreth 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 neighbor, 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 is 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.
33The lot is cast into the lap: but the whole disposing of it [is] from the LORD.
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