Proverbs 16

King James Version

Full text for Proverbs Chapter 16

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.

15In 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.

28A 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.

30He 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Proverbs 16 emphasizes the LORD's ultimate sovereignty over human plans and actions, asserting that while man devises his way, God directs his steps. It contrasts the path of righteousness, which leads to life and divine favor, with the destructive consequences of pride and wickedness. The chapter also extols the value of wisdom and understanding above material wealth, highlighting their role in guiding conduct and speech.

Medium Summary

This chapter opens by declaring that both the heart's preparations and the tongue's response originate from the LORD, who weighs the spirits even when man's ways seem right to himself. It urges committing works to the LORD for established thoughts and states that God has made all things for His purpose, including the wicked for the day of evil. Pride is an abomination, leading to destruction, while mercy, truth, and the fear of the LORD purge iniquity and foster peace. The chapter extols wisdom as more valuable than gold or silver, describing it as a wellspring of life that guides prudent speech and brings happiness to those who trust in the LORD. It also addresses the king's role, noting that a righteous throne is established by justice, and a king's favor brings life, though his wrath is deadly. Ultimately, while man plans his course, the LORD's direction is paramount, and even the casting of lots is under His control.

Long Summary

Proverbs 16 begins by asserting the LORD's ultimate control over human intention and expression, stating that both the heart's preparations and the tongue's answer come from Him. It highlights the divine perspective, where the LORD weighs the spirits, even though a man's own ways may appear clean to him. The chapter encourages individuals to commit their works to the LORD, ensuring their thoughts will be established, and declares that God has made all things for His own purpose, including the wicked for a day of reckoning. Pride is explicitly condemned as an abomination, leading inevitably to destruction and a fall, contrasting with the virtue of an humble spirit. Conversely, mercy and truth are presented as means by which iniquity is purged, and the fear of the LORD enables departure from evil. When a man's ways please the LORD, even his enemies are brought to peace with him, and a little with righteousness is deemed superior to great wealth gained unjustly. The text reiterates the theme of divine sovereignty by stating that while a man's heart devises his way, the LORD ultimately directs his steps, and the final disposition of even a cast lot is from Him. Wisdom and understanding are highly praised, valued above gold and silver, and described as a wellspring of life that makes one prudent and adds learning to the lips. Pleasant words are likened to a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healthy to the bones, emphasizing the power of righteous speech. The chapter also warns against paths that seem right but lead to death, and condemns the actions of the ungodly, who sow strife and entice others to evil. It praises the hoary head found in the way of righteousness as a crown of glory and extols the virtue of being slow to anger and ruling one's spirit as greater than conquering a city. The role of the king is also touched upon, emphasizing that a throne is established by righteousness, and righteous lips are a delight to rulers, whose favor brings life, but whose wrath can be deadly.

Core Concepts

  • Divine SovereigntyThe LORD ultimately controls human intentions, plans, and outcomes, directing man's steps even when he devises his own way, and determining the disposition of all things.
  • Righteousness and WickednessThe chapter consistently contrasts the paths of the righteous, who find favor, peace, and life, with the wicked and proud, whose ways are an abomination and lead to destruction.
  • Value of WisdomWisdom and understanding are esteemed above material wealth like gold and silver, being described as a wellspring of life that guides prudent conduct, improves speech, and brings happiness.
  • Consequences of PridePride is presented as an abomination to the LORD, explicitly stated to precede destruction and a fall, contrasting sharply with the virtue of humility.
  • Power of SpeechThe words of the wise are pleasant, sweet to the soul, and increase learning, while the lips of the ungodly are like a burning fire, sowing strife and leading to evil.
  • Role of the KingA king's throne is established by righteousness, and his favor brings life, while his wrath is dangerous; righteous lips are a delight to him, and he loves those who speak right.
  • Personal ConductVirtues such as being slow to anger, ruling one's spirit, and departing from evil are highlighted as superior to physical might, leading to preservation of the soul and a glorious old age.