Chapter
Verse

Proverbs chapter 16

English Standard Version

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

New American Standard Bible

1The plans of the heart belong to a person, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. 2All the ways of a person are clean in his own sight, But the Lord examines the motives. 3 Commit your works to the Lord, And your plans will be established. 4The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil. 5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Be assured, he will not go unpunished. 6By mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing, And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil. 7When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He causes even his enemies to make peace with him. 8Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice. 9The mind of a person plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. 10A divine verdict is on the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment. 11A just balance and scales belong to the Lord; All the weights of the bag are His concern. 12It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, Because a throne is established on righteousness. 13Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And one who speaks right is loved. 14The fury of a king is like messengers of death; But a wise person will appease it. 15In the light of a king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain. 16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. 17The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; One who watches his way protects his life. 18Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. 19It is better to be humble in spirit with the needy Than to divide the spoils with the proud. 20One who pays attention to the word will find good, And blessed is one who trusts in the Lord. 21The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. 22Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, But the discipline of fools is foolishness. 23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips. 24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 25There is a way which seems right to a person, But its end is the way of death. 26A worker’s appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on. 27A worthless person digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire. 28A perverse person spreads strife, And a slanderer separates close friends. 29A person of violence entices his neighbor And leads him in a way that is not good. 30He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass. 31A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. 32One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city. 33The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.
Christian Standard Bible

New Living Translation

King James Version

New King James Version

1The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. 2All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits. 3 Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. 4The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom. 5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished. 6 In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil. 7When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8 Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice. 9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. 10Divination is on the lips of the king; His mouth must not transgress in judgment. 11 Honest weights and scales are the Lord’s; All the weights in the bag are His work. 12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness. 13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right. 14As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, But a wise man will appease it. 15In the light of the king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain. 16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. 17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul. 18Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. 19Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. 21The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning. 22Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly. 23The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips. 24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. 25There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 26The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on. 27An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire. 28A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. 29A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good. 30He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil. 31 The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness. 32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. 33The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.

What does Proverbs chapter 16 mean?

This chapter of Proverbs continues recording Solomon's concise statements of wisdom. This began in chapter 10.

This segment begins with a discussion of man's plans. Human nature can lead us to arrogance and ignorance. Failure to seek God's will or examine our own motives can lead to disaster. Despite what a person might tell themselves, the Lord sees the heart, weighs the spirit, and determines what will happen. The Lord is sovereign; He has a purpose for everything He created. God detests arrogance—spiritual pride that causes a person to reject God—but is pleased when one turns away from evil. Godly wisdom is better than any material wealth (Proverbs 16:1–9).

Solomon then offers several perspectives on kings and rulers. He points out the fact that those in authority have great power, so it's common sense to avoid their wrath whenever possible. Some of these statements are expressions of ideals: the way a godly king ought to act (Proverbs 16:10–15).

Next are a series of proverbs relating to the value of wisdom, controlled speech, and self-reflection. Arrogance leads to disaster since it prevents a person from following God's will or recognizing their own errors. Having truth is valuable in and of itself; using careful words to speak truth makes others more likely to accept it. On the other hand, using words hatefully or for spite can cause incredible damage (Proverbs 16:16–26).

The concluding section of this chapter contrasts evil people with those who are righteous. Solomon offers additional warnings about self-control and the importance of reining in one's temper. Through all things, even those we think of as "random," God is ultimately in control (Proverbs 16:27–33).
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