Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Proverbs » Chapter 16

Proverbs 16:1-33 King James Version (KJV)

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.

15 In 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.

28 A 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.

30 He 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.

Proverbs 16:1-33 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 The preparations H4633 of the heart H3820 in man, H120 and the answer H4617 of the tongue, H3956 is from the LORD. H3068

2 All the ways H1870 of a man H376 are clean H2134 in his own eyes; H5869 but the LORD H3068 weigheth H8505 the spirits. H7307

3 Commit H1556 thy works H4639 unto the LORD, H3068 and thy thoughts H4284 shall be established. H3559

4 The LORD H3068 hath made H6466 all things for himself: H4617 yea, even the wicked H7563 for the day H3117 of evil. H7451

5 Every one that is proud H1362 in heart H3820 is an abomination H8441 to the LORD: H3068 though hand H3027 join in hand, H3027 he shall not be unpunished. H5352

6 By mercy H2617 and truth H571 iniquity H5771 is purged: H3722 and by the fear H3374 of the LORD H3068 men depart H5493 from evil. H7451

7 When a man's H376 ways H1870 please H7521 the LORD, H3068 he maketh even his enemies H341 to be at peace H7999 with him.

8 Better H2896 is a little H4592 with righteousness H6666 than great H7230 revenues H8393 without right. H4941

9 A man's H120 heart H3820 deviseth H2803 his way: H1870 but the LORD H3068 directeth H3559 his steps. H6806

10 A divine sentence H7081 is in the lips H8193 of the king: H4428 his mouth H6310 transgresseth H4603 not in judgment. H4941

11 A just H4941 weight H6425 and balance H3976 are the LORD'S: H3068 all the weights H68 of the bag H3599 are his work. H4639

12 It is an abomination H8441 to kings H4428 to commit H6213 wickedness: H7562 for the throne H3678 is established H3559 by righteousness. H6666

13 Righteous H6664 lips H8193 are the delight H7522 of kings; H4428 and they love H157 him that speaketh H1696 right. H3477

14 The wrath H2534 of a king H4428 is as messengers H4397 of death: H4194 but a wise H2450 man H376 will pacify H3722 it.

15 In the light H216 of the king's H4428 countenance H6440 is life; H2416 and his favour H7522 is as a cloud H5645 of the latter rain. H4456

16 How much better H2896 is it to get H7069 wisdom H2451 than gold! H2742 and to get H7069 understanding H998 rather to be chosen H977 than silver! H3701

17 The highway H4546 of the upright H3477 is to depart H5493 from evil: H7451 he that keepeth H5341 his way H1870 preserveth H8104 his soul. H5315

18 Pride H1347 goeth before H6440 destruction, H7667 and an haughty H1363 spirit H7307 before H6440 a fall. H3783

19 Better H2896 it is to be of an humble H8217 spirit H7307 with the lowly, H6035 H6041 than to divide H2505 the spoil H7998 with the proud. H1343

20 He that handleth a matter H1697 wisely H7919 shall find H4672 good: H2896 and whoso trusteth H982 in the LORD, H3068 happy H835 is he.

21 The wise H2450 in heart H3820 shall be called H7121 prudent: H995 and the sweetness H4986 of the lips H8193 increaseth H3254 learning. H3948

22 Understanding H7922 is a wellspring H4726 of life H2416 unto him that hath H1167 it: but the instruction H4148 of fools H191 is folly. H200

23 The heart H3820 of the wise H2450 teacheth H7919 his mouth, H6310 and addeth H3254 learning H3948 to his lips. H8193

24 Pleasant H5278 words H561 are as an honeycomb, H6688 H1706 sweet H4966 to the soul, H5315 and health H4832 to the bones. H6106

25 There is H3426 a way H1870 that seemeth right H3477 unto H6440 a man, H376 but the end H319 thereof are the ways H1870 of death. H4194

26 He H5315 that laboureth H6001 laboureth H5998 for himself; for his mouth H6310 craveth H404 it of him.

27 An ungodly H1100 man H376 diggeth up H3738 evil: H7451 and in his lips H8193 there is as a burning H6867 fire. H784

28 A froward H8419 man H376 soweth H7971 strife: H4066 and a whisperer H5372 separateth H6504 chief friends. H441

29 A violent H2555 man H376 enticeth H6601 his neighbour, H7453 and leadeth H3212 him into the way H1870 that is not good. H2896

30 He shutteth H6095 his eyes H5869 to devise H2803 froward things: H8419 moving H7169 his lips H8193 he bringeth H3615 evil H7451 to pass. H3615

31 The hoary head H7872 is a crown H5850 of glory, H8597 if it be found H4672 in the way H1870 of righteousness. H6666

32 He that is slow H750 to anger H639 is better H2896 than the mighty; H1368 and he that ruleth H4910 his spirit H7307 than he that taketh H3920 a city. H5892

33 The lot H1486 is cast H2904 into the lap; H2436 but the whole disposing H4941 thereof is of the LORD. H3068

Proverbs 16:1-33 American Standard (ASV)

1 The plans of the heart belong to man; But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the spirits.

3 Commit thy works unto Jehovah, And thy purposes shall be established.

4 Jehovah hath made everything for its own end; Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah: `Though' hand `join' in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for; And by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil.

7 When a man's ways please Jehovah, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little, with righteousness, Than great revenues with injustice.

9 A man's heart deviseth his way; But Jehovah directeth his steps.

10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; His mouth shall not transgress in judgment.

11 A just balance and scales are Jehovah'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.

15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.

16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is 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 a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20 He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good; And whoso trusteth in Jehovah, happy is he.

21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22 Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is `their' folly.

23 The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are `as' a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.

26 The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him `thereto'.

27 A worthless man deviseth mischief; And in his lips there is as a scorching fire.

28 A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.

29 A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him in a way that is not good.

30 He that shutteth his eyes, `it is' to devise perverse things: He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.

31 The hoary head is a crown of glory; It shall 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 Jehovah.

Proverbs 16:1-33 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Of man `are' arrangements of the heart, And from Jehovah an answer of the tongue.

2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering the spirits.

3 Roll unto Jehovah thy works, And established are thy purposes,

4 All things hath Jehovah wrought for Himself, And also the wicked `worketh' for a day of evil.

5 An abomination to Jehovah `is' every proud one of heart, Hand to hand he is not acquitted.

6 In kindness and truth pardoned is iniquity, And in the fear of Jehovah Turn thou aside from evil.

7 When a man's ways please Jehovah, even his enemies, He causeth to be at peace with him.

8 Better `is' a little with righteousness, Than abundance of increase without justice.

9 The heart of man deviseth his way, And Jehovah establisheth his step.

10 An oath `is' on the lips of a king, In judgment his mouth trespasseth not.

11 A just beam and balances `are' Jehovah's, His work `are' all the stones of the bag.

12 An abomination to kings `is' doing wickedness, For by righteousness is a throne established.

13 The delight of kings `are' righteous lips, And whoso is speaking uprightly he loveth,

14 The fury of a king `is' messengers of death, And a wise man pacifieth it.

15 In the light of a king's face `is' life, And his good-will `is' as a cloud of the latter rain.

16 To get wisdom -- how much better than gold, And to get understanding to be chosen than silver!

17 A highway of the upright `is', `Turn from evil,' Whoso is preserving his soul is watching his way.

18 Before destruction `is' pride, And before stumbling -- a haughty spirit.'

19 Better is humility of spirit with the poor, Than to apportion spoil with the proud.

20 The wise in any matter findeth good, And whoso is trusting in Jehovah, O his happiness.

21 To the wise in heart is called, `Intelligent,' And sweetness of lips increaseth learning.

22 A fountain of life `is' understanding to its possessors, The instruction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise causeth his mouth to act wisely, And by his lips he increaseth learning,

24 Sayings of pleasantness `are' a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone.

25 There is a way right before a man, And its latter end -- ways of death.

26 A labouring man hath laboured for himself, For his mouth hath caused `him' to bend over it.

27 A worthless man is preparing evil, And on his lips -- as a burning fire.

28 A froward man sendeth forth contention, A tale-bearer is separating a familiar friend.

29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, And hath causeth him to go in a way not good.

30 Consulting his eyes to devise froward things, Moving his lips he hath accomplished evil.

31 A crown of beauty `are' grey hairs, In the way of righteousness it is found.

32 Better `is' the slow to anger than the mighty, And the ruler over his spirit than he who is taking a city.

33 Into the centre is the lot cast, And from Jehovah `is' all its judgment!

Proverbs 16:1-33 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 The purposes of the heart are of man, but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the spirits.

3 Commit thy works unto Jehovah, and thy thoughts shall be established.

4 Jehovah hath wrought everything on his own account, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5 Every proud heart is an abomination to Jehovah: hand for hand, he shall not be held innocent.

6 By loving-kindness and truth iniquity is atoned for; and by the fear of Jehovah [men] depart from evil.

7 When a man's ways please Jehovah, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right.

9 The heart of man deviseth his way, but Jehovah directeth his steps.

10 An oracle is on the lips of the king: his mouth will not err in judgment.

11 The just balance and scales are Jehovah'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 aright.

14 The fury of a king is [as] messengers of death; but a wise man will pacify it.

15 In 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 fine gold, and the getting of intelligence to be preferred to silver!

17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that taketh heed to his way keepeth his soul.

18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the meek, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20 He that giveth heed to the word shall find good; and whoso confideth in Jehovah, happy is he.

21 The wise in heart is called intelligent, and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22 Wisdom is a fountain of life for him that hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips increaseth learning.

24 Pleasant words are [as] a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health for the bones.

25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death.

26 The appetite of the labourer laboureth for him, for his mouth urgeth him on.

27 A man of Belial diggeth up evil, and on his lips there is as a scorching fire.

28 A false man soweth contention; and a talebearer separateth very friends.

29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into a way that is not good.

30 He that shutteth his eyes, [it is] to devise froward things; biting his lips, he bringeth evil to pass.

31 The 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.

33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole decision is of Jehovah.

Proverbs 16:1-33 World English Bible (WEB)

1 The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But Yahweh weighs the motives.

3 Commit your deeds to Yahweh, And your plans shall succeed.

4 Yahweh has made everything for its own end-- Yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: They shall assuredly not be unpunished.

6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.

7 When a man's ways please Yahweh, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness, Than great revenues with injustice.

9 A man's heart plans his course, But Yahweh directs his steps.

10 Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.

11 Honest balances and scales are Yahweh's; All the weights in the bag are his work.

12 It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, For the throne is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.

14 The king's wrath is a messenger of death, But a wise man will pacify it.

15 In the light of the king's face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.

16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

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 plunder with the proud.

20 He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.

21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.

22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the punishment of fools is their folly.

23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, And adds learning to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25 There is a way which seems right to a man, But in the end it leads to death.

26 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; For his mouth urges him on.

27 A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.

28 A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.

29 A man of violence entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good.

30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, One who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.

31 Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.

32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; One who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from Yahweh.

Proverbs 16:1-33 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

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.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 16

Commentary on Proverbs 16 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Keil & Delitzsch   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Chapter 16

Pro 16:1

As we read this, it teaches us a great truth, that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing of ourselves that is wise and good, but that all our sufficiency is of God, who is with the heart and with the mouth, and works in us both to will and to do, Phil. 2:13; Ps. 10:17. But most read it otherwise: The preparation of the heart is in man (he may contrive and design this and the other) but the answer of the tongue, not only the delivering of what he designed to speak, but the issue and success of what he designed to do, is of the Lord. That is, in short,

  • 1. Man purposes. He has a freedom of thought and a freedom of will permitted him; let him form his projects, and lay his schemes, as he thinks best: but, after all,
  • 1. God disposes. Man cannot go on with his business without the assistance and blessing of God, who made man's mouth and teaches us what we shall say. Nay, God easily can, and often does, cross men's purposes, and break their measures. It was a curse that was prepared in Balaam's heart, but the answer of the tongue was a blessing.

Pro 16:2

Note,

  • 1. We are all apt to be partial in judging of ourselves: All the ways of a man, all his designs, all his doings, are clean in his own eyes, and he sees nothing amiss in them, nothing for which to condemn himself, or which should make his projects prove otherwise than well; and therefore he is confident of success, and that the answer of the tongue shall be according to the expectations of the heart; but there is a great deal of pollution cleaving to our ways, which we are not aware of, or do not think so ill of as we ought.
  • 2. The judgment of God concerning us, we are sure, is according to truth: He weighs the spirits in a just and unerring balance, knows what is in us, and passes a judgment upon us accordingly, writing Tekel upon that which passed our scale with approbation-weighed in the balance and found wanting; and by his judgment we must stand or fall. He not only sees men's ways but tries their spirits, and we are as our spirits are.

Pro 16:3

Note,

  • 1. It is a very desirable thing to have our thoughts established, and not tossed, and put into a hurry, by disquieting cares and fears,-to go on in an even steady course of honesty and piety, not disturbed, or put out of frame, by any event or change,-to be satisfied that all shall work for good and issue well at last, and therefore to be always easy and sedate.
  • 2. The only way to have our thoughts established is to commit our works to the Lord. The great concerns of our souls must be committed to the grace of God, with a dependence upon and submission to the conduct of that grace (2 Tim. 1:12); all our outward concerns must be committed to the providence of God, and to the sovereign, wise, and gracious disposal of that providence. Roll thy works upon the Lord (so the word is); roll the burden of thy care from thyself upon God. Lay the matter before him by prayer. Make known thy works unto the Lord (so some read it), not only the works of thy hand, but the workings of thy heart; and then leave it with him, by faith and dependence upon him, submission and resignation to him. The will of the Lord be done. We may then be easy when we resolve that whatever pleases God shall please us.

Pro 16:4

Note,

  • 1. That God is the first cause. He is the former of all things and all persons, the fountain of being; he gave every creature the being it has and appointed it its place. Even the wicked are his creatures, though they are rebels; he gave them those powers with which they fight against him, which aggravates their wickedness, that they will not let him that made them rule them, and therefore, though he made them, he will not save them.
  • 2. That God is the last end. All is of him and from him, and therefore all is to him and for him. He made all according to his will and for his praise; he designed to serve his own purposes by all his creatures, and he will not fail of his designs; all are his servants. The wicked he is not glorified by, but he will be glorified upon. He makes no man wicked, but he made those who he foresaw would be wicked: yet he made them (Gen. 6:6), because he knew how to get himself honour upon them. See Rom. 9:22. Or (as some understand it) he made the wicked to be employed by him as the instruments of his wrath in the day of evil, when he brings judgments on the world. He makes some use even of wicked men, as of other things, to be his sword, his hand (Ps. 17:13, 14), flagellum Dei-the scourge of God. The king of Babylon is called his servant.

Pro 16:5

Note,

  • 1. The pride of sinners sets God against them. He that, being high in estate is proud in heart, whose spirit is elevated with his condition, so that he becomes insolent in his conduct towards God and man, let him know that though he admires himself, and others caress him, yet he is an abomination to the Lord. The great God despises him; the holy God detest him.
  • 2. The power of sinners cannot secure them against God, though they strengthen themselves with body hands. Though they may strengthen one another with their confederacies and combinations, joining forces against God, they shall not escape his righteous judgment. Woe unto him that strives with his Maker, ch. 11:21; Isa. 45:9.

Pro 16:6

See here,

  • 1. How the guilt of sin is taken away from us-by the mercy and truth of God, mercy in promising, truth in performing, the mercy and truth which kiss each other in Jesus Christ the Mediator-by the covenant of grace, in which mercy and truth shine so brightly-by our mercy and truth, as the condition of the pardon and a necessary qualification for it-by these, and not by the legal sacrifices, Mic. 6:7, 8.
  • 2. How the power of sin is broken in us. By the principles of mercy and truth commanding in us the corrupt inclinations are purged out (so we may take the former part); however, by the fear of the Lord, and the influence of that fear, men depart from evil; those will not dare to sin against God who keep up in their minds a holy dread and reverence of him.

Pro 16:7

Note,

  • 1. God can turn foes into friends when he pleases. He that has all hearts in his hand has access to men's spirits and power over them, working insensibly, but irresistibly upon them, can make a man's enemies to be at peace with him, can change their minds, or force them into a feigned submission. He can slay all enemies, and bring those together that were at the greatest distance from each other.
  • 2. He will do it for us when we please him. If we make it our care to be reconciled to God, and to keep ourselves in his love, he will incline those that have been envious towards us, and vexatious to us, to entertain a good opinion of us and to become our friends. God made Esau to be at peace with Jacob, Abimelech with Isaac, and David's enemies to court his favour and desire a league with Israel. The image of God appearing upon the righteous, and his particular lovingkindness to them, are enough to recommend them to the respect of all, even of those that have been most prejudiced against them.

Pro 16:8

Here,

  • 1. It is supposed that an honest good man may have but a little of the wealth of this world (all the righteous are not rich),-that a man may have but little, and yet may be honest (though poverty is a temptation to dishonesty, ch. 30:9, yet not an invincible one),-and that a man may grow rich, for a while, by fraud and oppression, may have great revenues, and those got and kept without right, may have no good title to them nor make any good use of them.
  • 2. It is maintained that a small estate, honestly come by, which a man is content with, enjoys comfortably, serves God with cheerfully, and puts to a right use, is much better and more valuable than a great estate ill-got, and then ill-kept or ill-spent. It carries with it more inward satisfaction, a better reputation with all that are wise and good; it will last longer, and will turn to a better account in the great day, when men will be judged, not according to what they had, but what they did.

Pro 16:9

Man is here represented to us,

  • 1. As a reasonable creature, that has the faculty of contriving for himself: His heart devises his way, designs an end, and projects ways and means leading to that end, which the inferior creatures, who are governed by sense and natural instinct, cannot do. The more shame for him if he do not devise the way how to please God and provide for his everlasting state.
  • 2. But as a depending creature, that is subject to the direction and dominion of his Maker. If men devise their way, so as to make God's glory their end and his will their rule, they may expect that he will direct their steps by his Spirit and grace, so that they shall not miss their way nor come short of their end. But let men devise their worldly affairs ever so politely, and with ever so great a probability of success, yet God has the ordering of the event, and sometimes directs their steps to that which they least intended. The design of this is to teach us to say, If the Lord will, we shall live and do this or that (Jam. 4:14, 15), and to have our eye to God, not only in the great turns of our lives, but in every step we take. Lord, direct my way, 1 Th. 3:11.

Pro 16:10

We wish this were always true as a proposition, and we ought to make it our prayer for kings, and all in authority, that a divine sentence may be in their lips, both in giving orders, that they may do that in wisdom, and in giving sentence, that they may do that in equity, both which are included in judgment, and that in neither their mouth may transgress, 1 Tim. 2:1. But it is often otherwise; and therefore,

  • 1. it may be read as a precept to the kings and judges of the earth to be wise and instructed. Let them be just, and rule in the fear of God; let them act with such wisdom and conscience that there may appear a holy divination in all they say or do, and that they are guided by principles supernatural: let not their mouths transgress in judgment, for the judgment is God's.
  • 2. It may be taken as a promise to all good kings, that if they sincerely aim at God's glory, and seek direction from him, he will qualify them with wisdom and grace above others, in proportion to the eminency of their station and the trusts lodged in their hands. When Saul himself was made king God gave him another spirit.
  • 3. It was true concerning Solomon who wrote this; he had extraordinary wisdom, pursuant to the promise God made him, See 1 Ki. 3:28.

Pro 16:11

Note,

  • 1. The administration of public justice by the magistrate is an ordinance of God; in it the scales are held, and ought to be held by a steady and impartial hand; and we ought to submit to it, for the Lord's sake, and to see his authority in that of the magistrate, Rom. 13:1; 1 Pt. 2:13.
  • 2. The observance of justice in commerce between man and man is likewise a divine appointment. He taught men discretion to make scales and weights for the adjusting of right exactly between buyer and seller, that neither may be wronged; and all other useful inventions for the preserving of right are from him. He has also appointed by his law that they be just. It is therefore a great affront to him, and to his government, to falsify, and so to do wrong under colour and pretence of doing right, which is wickedness in the place of judgment.

Pro 16:12

Here is,

  • 1. The character of a good king, which Solomon intended not for his own praise, but for instruction to his successors, his neighbours, and the viceroys under him. A good king not only does justice, but it is an abomination to him to do otherwise. He hates the thought of doing wrong and perverting justice; he not only abhors the wickedness done by others, but abhors the wickedness done by others, but abhors to do any himself, though, having power, he might easily and safety do it.
  • 2. The comfort of a good king: His throne is established by righteousness. He that makes conscience of using his power aright shall find that to be the best security of his government, both as it will oblige people, make them easy, and keep them in the interest of it, and as it will obtain the blessing of God, which will be a firm basis to the throne and a strong guard about it.

Pro 16:13

Here is a further character of good kings, that they love and delight in those that speak right.

  • 1. They hate parasites and those that flatter them, and are very willing that all about them should deal faithfully with them and tell them that which is true, whether it be pleasing or displeasing, both concerning persons and things, that every thing should be set in a true light and nothing disguised, ch. 29:12.
  • 2. They not only do righteousness themselves, but take care to employ those under them that do righteousness too, which is of great consequence to the people, who must be subject not only to the king as supreme, but to the governors sent by him, 1 Pt. 2:14. A good king will therefore put those in power who are conscientious, and will say that which is righteous and discreet, and know how to speak aright and to the purpose.

Pro 16:14-15

These two verses show the power of kings, which is every where great, but was especially so in those eastern countries, where they were absolute and arbitrary. Whom they would they slew and whom they would they kept alive. Their will was a law. We have reason to bless God for the happy constitution of the government we live under, which maintains the prerogative of the prince without any injury to the liberty of the subject. But here it is intimated,

  • 1. How formidable the wrath of a king is: It is as messengers of death; the wrath of Ahasuerus was so to Haman. An angry word from an incensed prince has been to many a messenger of death, and has struck so great a terror upon some as if a sentence of death had been pronounced upon them. He must be a very wise man that knows how to pacify the wrath of a king with a word fitly spoken, as Jonathan once pacified his father's rage against David, 1 Sa. 19:6. A prudent subject may sometimes suggest that to an angry prince which will cool his resentments.
  • 2. How valuable and desirable the king's favour is to those that have incurred his displeasure; it is life from the dead if the king be reconciled to them. To others it is as a cloud of the latter rain, very refreshing to the ground. Solomon put his subjects in mind of this, that they might not do any thing to incur his wrath, but be careful to recommend themselves to his favour. We ought by it to be put in mind how much we are concerned to escape the wrath and obtain the favour of the King of kings. His frowns are worse than death, and his favour is better than life; and therefore those are fools who to escape the wrath, and obtain the favour, of an earthly prince, will throw themselves out of God's favour, and make themselves obnoxious to his wrath.

Pro 16:16

Solomon here not only asserts that it is better to get wisdom than gold (ch. 3:14, 8:19), but he speaks it with assurance, that it is much better, better beyond expression-with admiration (How much better!) as one amazed at the disproportion-with an appeal to men's consciences ("Judge in yourselves how much better it is')-and with an addition to the same purport, that understanding is rather to be chosen than silver and all the treasures of kings and their favourites. Note,

  • 1. Heavenly wisdom is better than worldly wealth, and to be preferred before it. Grace is more valuable than gold. Grace is the gift of God's peculiar favour; gold only of common providence. Grace is for ourselves; gold for others. Grace is for the soul and eternity; gold only for the body and time. Grace will stand us in stead in a dying hour, when gold will do us no good.
  • 2. The getting of this heavenly wisdom is better than the getting of worldly wealth. Many take care and pains to get wealth, and yet come short of it; but grace was never denied to any that sincerely sought it. There is vanity and vexation of spirit in getting wealth, but joy and satisfaction of spirit in getting wisdom. Great peace have those that love it.

Pro 16:17

Note,

  • 1. It is the way of the upright to avoid sin, and every thing that looks like it and leads towards it; and this is a highway marked out by authority, tracked by many that have gone before us, and in which we meet with many that keep company with us; it is easy to find and safe to be travelled in, like a highway, Isa. 35:8. To depart from evil is understanding.
  • 2. It is the care of the upright to preserve their own souls, that they be not polluted with sin, and that by the troubles of the world they may not be put out of the possession of them, especially that they may not perish for ever, Mt. 16:26. And it is therefore their care to keep their way, and not turn aside out of it, on either hand, but to press towards perfection. Those that adhere to their duty secure their felicity. Keep thy way and God will keep thee.

Pro 16:18

Note,

  • 1. Pride will have a fall. Those that are of a haughty spirit, that think of themselves above what is meet, and look with contempt upon others, that with their pride affront God and disquiet others, will be brought down, either by repentance or by ruin. It is the honour of God to humble the proud, Job 40:11, 12. It is the act of justice that those who have lifted up themselves should be laid low. Pharaoh, Sennacherib, Nebuchadnezzar, were instances of this. Men cannot punish pride, but either admire it or fear it, and therefore God will take the punishing of it into his own hands. Let him alone to deal with proud men.
  • 2. Proud men are frequently most proud, and insolent, and haughty, just before their destruction, so that it is a certain presage that they are upon the brink of it. When proud men set God's judgments at defiance, and think themselves at the greatest distance from them, it is a sign that they are at the door; witness the case of Benhadad and Herod. While the word was in the king's mouth, Dan. 4:31. Therefore let us not fear the pride of others, but greatly fear pride in ourselves.

Pro 16:19

This is a paradox which the children of this world cannot understand and will not subscribe to, that it is better to be poor and humble than to be rich and proud.

  • 1. Those that divide the spoil are commonly proud; they value themselves and despise others, and their mind rises with their condition; those therefore that are rich in this world have need to be charged that they be not high-minded, 1 Tim. 6:17. Those that are proud and will put forth themselves, that thrust, and shove, and scramble, for preferment, are the men that commonly divide the spoil and share it among them; they have the world at will and the ball at their foot.
  • 2. It is upon all accounts better to take our lot with those whose condition is low, and their minds brought to it, than to covet and aim to make a figure and a bustle in the world. Humility, though it should expose us to contempt in the world, yet while it recommends us to the favour of God, qualifies us for his gracious visits, prepares us for his glory, secures us from many temptations, and preserves the quiet and repose of our own souls, is much better than that high-spiritedness which, though it carry away the honour and wealth of the world, makes God a man's enemy and the devil his master.

Pro 16:20

Note,

  • 1. Prudence gains men respect and success: He that handles a matter wisely (that is master of his trade and makes it to appear he understands what he undertakes, that is considerate in his affairs, and, when he speaks or writes on any subject, does it pertinently) shall find good, shall come into good repute, and perhaps may make a good hand of it.
  • 2. But it is piety only that will secure men's true happiness: Those that handle a matter wisely, if they are proud and lean to their own understanding, though they may find some good, yet they will have no great satisfaction in it; but he that trusts in the Lord, and not in his own wisdom, happy is he, and shall speed better at last. Some read the former part of the verse so as to expound it of piety, which is indeed true wisdom: He that attends to the word (the word of God, ch. 13:13) shall find good in it and good by it. And whoso trusts in the Lord, in his word which he attends to, is happy.

Pro 16:21

Note,

  • 1. Those that have solid wisdom will have the credit of it; it will gain them reputation, and they shall be called prudent grave men, and a deference will be paid to their judgment. Do that which is wise and good and thou shalt have the praise of the same.
  • 2. Those that with their wisdom have a happy elocution, that deliver their sentiments easily and with a good grace, are communicative of their wisdom and have words at will, and good language as well as good sense, increase learning; they diffuse and propagate knowledge to others, and do good work with it, and by that means increase their own stock. They add doctrine, improve sciences, and do service to the commonwealth of learning. To him that has, and uses what he has, more shall be given.

Pro 16:22

Note,

  • 1. There is always some good to be gotten by a wise and good man: His understanding is a well-spring of life to him, which always flows and can never be drawn dry; he has something to say upon all occasions that is instructive, and of use to those that will make use of it, things new and old to bring out of his treasure; at least, his understanding is a spring of life to himself, yielding him abundant satisfaction; within his own thoughts he entertains and edifies himself, if not others.
  • 2. There is nothing that is good to be gotten by a fool. Even his instruction, his set and solemn discourses, are but folly, like himself, and tending to make others like him. When he does his best it is but folly, in comparison even with the common talk of a wise man, who speaks better at table than a fool in Moses's seat.

Pro 16:23

Solomon had commended eloquence, or the sweetness of the lips (v. 21), and seemed to prefer it before wisdom; but here he corrects himself, as it were, and shows that unless there be a good treasure within to support the eloquence it is worth little. Wisdom in the heart is the main matter.

  • 1. It is this that directs us in speaking, that teaches the mouth what to speak, and when, and how, so that what is spoken may be proper, and pertinent, and seasonable; otherwise, though the language be ever so fine, it had better be unsaid.
  • 2. It is this that gives weight to what we speak and adds learning to it, strength of reason and force of argument, without which, let a thing be ever so well worded, it will be rejected, when it comes to be considered, as trifling. Quaint expressions please the ear, and humour the fancy, but it is learning in the lips that must convince the judgment, and sway that, to which wisdom in the heart is necessary.

Pro 16:24

The pleasant words here commended must be those which the heart of the wise teaches, and adds learning to (v. 23), words of seasonable advice, instruction, and comfort, words taken from God's word, for that is it which Solomon had learned from his father to account sweeter than honey and the honey-comb, Ps. 19:10. These words, to those that know how to relish them,

  • 1. Are pleasant. They are like the honey-comb, sweet to the soul, which tastes in them that the Lord is gracious; nothing more grateful and agreeable to the new man than the word of God, and those words which are borrowed from it, Ps. 119:103.
  • 2. They are wholesome. Many things are pleasant that are not profitable, but these pleasant words are health to the bones, to the inward man, as well as sweet to the soul. They make the bones, which sin has broken and put out of joint, to rejoice. The bones are the strength of the body; and the good word of God is a means of spiritual strength, curing the diseases that weaken us.

Pro 16:25

This we had before (ch. 14:12), but here it is repeated, as that which is very necessary to be thought of,

  • 1. By way of caution to us all to take heed of deceiving ourselves in the great concerns of our souls by resting in that which seems right and is not really so, and, for the preventing of a self-delusion, to be impartial in self-examination and keep up a jealousy over ourselves.
  • 2. By way of terror to those whose way is not right, is not as it should be, however it may seem to themselves or others; the end of it will certainly be death; to that it has a direct and certain tendency.

Pro 16:26

This is designed to engage us to diligence, and quicken us, what our hand finds to do, to do it with all our might, both in our worldly business and in the work of religion; for in the original it is, The soul that labours labours for itself. It is heart-work which is here intended, the labour of the soul, which is here recommended to us,

  • 1. As that which will be absolutely needful. Our mouth is continually craving it of us; the necessities both of soul and body are pressing, and require constant relief, so that we must either work or starve. Both call for daily bread, and therefore there must be daily labour; for in the sweat of our face we must eat, 2 Th. 3:10.
  • 2. As that which will be unspeakably gainful. We know on whose errand we go: He that labours shall reap the fruit of his labour; it shall be for himself; he shall rejoice in his own work and eat the labour of his hands. If we make religion our business, God will make it our blessedness.

Pro 16:27-28

There are those that are not only vicious themselves, but spiteful and mischievous to others, and they are the worst of men; two sorts of such are here described:-

  • 1. Such as envy a man the honour of his good name, and do all they can to blast that by calumnies and misrepresentations: They dig up evil; they take a great deal of pains to find out something or other on which to ground a slander, or which may give some colour to it. If none appear above ground, rather than want it they will dig for it, by diving into what is secret, or looking a great way back, or by evil suspicions and surmises, and forced innuendos. In the lips of a slanderer and backbiter there is as a fire, not only to brand his neighbour's reputation, to smoke and sully it, but as a burning fire to consume it. And how great a matter does a little of this fire kindle, and how hardly is it extinguished! James 3:5, 6.
  • 2. Such as envy a man the comfort of his friendship, and do all they can to break that, by suggesting that on both sides which will set those at variance that are most nearly related and have been long intimate, or at least cool and alienate their affections one from another: A froward man, that cannot find in his heart to love any body but himself, is vexed to see others live in love, and therefore makes it is his business to sow strife, by giving men base characters one of another, telling lies, and carrying ill-natured stories between chief friends, so as to separate them one from another, and make them angry at or at least suspicious of one another. Those are bad men, and bad women too, that do such ill offices; they are doing the devil's work, and his will their wages be.

Pro 16:29-30

Here is another sort of evil men described to us, that we may neither do like them, nor have any thing to do with them.

  • 1. Such as (like Satan) do all the mischief they can by force and violence, as roaring lions, and not only by fraud and insinuation, as subtle serpents: They are violent men, that do all by rapine and oppression, that shut their eyes, meditating with the closest intention and application of mind to devise froward things, to contrive how they may do the greatest mischief to their neighbour, to do it effectually and yet securely to themselves; and then moving their lips, giving the word of command to their agents, they bring the evil to pass, and accomplish the wicked device, biting his lips (so some read it) for vexation. When the wicked plots against the just he gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
  • 2. Such as (like Satan still) do all they can to entice and draw in others to join with them in doing mischief, leading them in a way that is not good, that is not honest, nor honourable, nor safe, but offensive to God, and which will be in the end pernicious to the sinner. Thus he aims to ruin some in this world by bringing them into trouble, and others in the other world by bringing them into sin.

Pro 16:31

Note,

  • 1. It ought to be the great care of old people to be found in the way of righteousness, the way of religion and serious godliness. Both God and man will look for them in that way; it will be expected that those that are old should be good, that the multitude of their years should teach them the best wisdom; let them therefore be found in that way. Death will come; the Judge is coming; the Lord is at hand. That they may be found of him in peace, let them be found in the way of righteousness (2 Pt. 3:14), found so doing, Mt. 24:46. Let old people be old disciples; let them persevere to the end in the way of righteousness, which they long since set out in, that they may then be found in it.
  • 2. If old people be found in the way of righteousness, their age will be their honour. Old age, as such, is honourable, and commands respect (Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, Lev. 19:32); but, if it be found in the way of wickedness, its honour is forfeited, its crown profaned and laid in the dust, Isa. 65:20. Old people therefore, if they would preserve their honour, must still hold fast their integrity, and then their gray hairs are indeed a crown to them; they are worthy of double honour. Grace is the glory of old age.

Pro 16:32

This recommends the grace of meekness to us, which will well become us all, particularly the hoary head, v. 31. Observe,

  • 1. The nature of it. it is to be slow to anger, not easily put into a passion, nor apt to resent provocation, taking time to consider before we suffer our passion to break out, that it may not transgress due bounds, so slow in our motions towards anger that we may be quickly stopped and pacified. It is to have the rule of our own spirits, our appetites and affections, and all our inclinations, but particularly our passions, our anger, keeping that under direction and check, and the strict government of religion and right reason. We must be lords of our anger, as God is, Nah. 1:3. Aeolus sis, affectuum tuorum-Rule your passions, as Aeolus rules the winds.
  • 2. The honour of it. He that gets and keeps the mastery of his passions is better than the mighty, better than he that by a long siege takes a city or by a long war subdues a country. Behold, a greater than Alexander or Caesar is here. The conquest of ourselves, and our own unruly passions, requires more true wisdom, and a more steady, constant, and regular management, than the obtaining of a victory over the forces of an enemy. A rational conquest is more honourable to a rational creature than a brutal one. It is a victory that does nobody any harm; no lives or treasures are sacrificed to it, but only some base lusts. It is harder, and therefore more glorious, to quash an insurrection at home than to resist an invasion from a broad; nay, such are the gains of meekness that by it we are more than conquerors.

Pro 16:33

Note,

  • 1. The divine Providence orders and directs those things which to us are perfectly casual and fortuitous. Nothing comes to pass by chance, nor is an event determined by a blind fortune, but every thing by the will and counsel of God. What man has neither eye nor hand in God is intimately concerned in.
  • 2. When solemn appeals are made to Providence by the casting of lots, for the deciding of that matter of moment which could not otherwise be at all, or not so well, decided, God must be eyed in it, by prayer, that it may be disposed aright (Give a perfect lot, 1 Sa. 14:41; Acts 1:24), and by acquiescing in it when it is disposed, being satisfied that the hand of God is in it and that hand directed by infinite wisdom. All the disposals of Providence concerning our affairs we must look upon to be the directing of our lot, the determining of what we referred to God, and must be reconciled to them accordingly.