Proverbs

Proverbs 16 ©

Various observations of moral virtues and their contrary vices.

1

THE 1preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

2

aAll the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; bbut the LORD weigheth the spirits.

a v.25. ch. 14.12; 21.2; 30.12. Lu. 18.11.
b 1Sa. 16.7. Je. 17.10. Da. 5.27.
3

2Commit cthy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

c Ps. 37.5; 55.22. Mat. 6.25,34. Lu. 12.22. 1Pe. 5.7. Phi. 4.6.
4

The dLORD hath made all things for himself: eyea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

d Ro. 11.36; 1.19,20. Is. 43.7,21. Re. 4.11.
e Job 21.30. Ro. 9.22. Ex. 9.16.
5

fEvery one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be 3unpunished.

f ch. 6.17; 8.13; 11.21. Da. 7.20,25. 2Th. 2.4.
6

By gmercy and truth hiniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

g Ps. 85.10. Mi. 7.18-20; 6.8. ch. 3.3; 20.28; 14.16,27. Ne. 5.15. Ro. 6.1,2,14.
h Da. 4.27. Lu. 11.41.
7

iWhen a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

i Ro. 8.31. Col. 1.10. Ps. 119.165. Job 5.1,23. Je. 15.11,19; 39.16-18. 2Ch. 17.5,10. Re. 3.9.
8

jBetter is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

j Ps. 37.16. ch. 15.16. He. 2.9,13. 1Ti. 6.6,9.
9

A kman's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

k v.1. Ps. 37.23. ch. 19.21; 20.24. Je. 10.23,24.
10

4A ldivine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

l Ge. 44.15. v.12,13. De. 17.20.
11

A mjust weight and balance are the LORD's: 5all the weights of the bag are his work.

m Le. 19.35,36. De. 25.13-15. ch. 11.1; 20.10,23.
12

It is nan abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

n v.10,13. De. 17.19,20. ch. 20.28; 25.5; 29.14. Je. 22.3. Ps. 45.7. Is. 9.7.
13

oRighteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

o ch. 14.35; 22.11. Ps. 101.5-7. 2Sa. 23.3.
14

The pwrath of a king is as messengers of death: qbut a wise man will pacify it.

p ch. 19.12; 20.2. Es. 7; 9.
q Ac. 12.20. 1Sa. 25.21-35. 2Sa. 20.16-22.
15

In rthe light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

r ch. 19.12. Job 29.23,24. Ps. 72.6. Zec. 10.1.
16

sHow much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

s ch. 8.10,11,19; 3.14,15; 4.7. Job 28.13-19.
17

The thighway of the upright is to depart from evil: uhe that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

t Is. 35.8. Ac. 24.16. 2Co. 1.12. Tit. 2.11-14. Lu. 1.75.
u ch. 10.9; 4.23. Jude 20,21.
18

vPride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

v Es. 6.6. ch. 11.2; 18.12; 29.23. Da. 4.30,31. Job 40.11,12. Es. 3; 7.
19

wBetter it is to be xof an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

w Ps. 138.6. v.32. Lu. 14.11. Ja. 4.6. 1Pe. 5.6.
x ch. 29.23. Is. 57.15.
20

6He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso ytrusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

y Ps. 2.12; 34.8; 125.1. Is. 30.18. Je. 17.7,8.
21

The zwise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

z ch. 4.7-9; 3.16. Ec. 12.10. 2Ti. 3.15-17.
22

aUnderstanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: bbut the instruction of fools is folly.

a ch. 13.14; 14.27; 10.11. Jn. 17.3; 4.14.
b ch. 15.2,14,28. Je. 10.8.
23

The cheart of the wise 7teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

c Ps. 45.1; 37.30,31. Mat. 12.34,35. ch. 15.28.
24

dPleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

d ch. 15.23,26. Ca. 4.11. Ps. 119.103; 51.8; 19.10. Je. 15.16.
25

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

e ch. 14.12; 12.15,26; 30.11-14. Eze. 18.4. Ro. 2.8,9. Is. 3.11.
26

8He that laboureth flabour-eth for himself; for his mouth 9craveth it of him.

f ch. 9.12. Ec. 6.7.
27

10An gungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

g Ps. 7.15; 52.2-4; 120.3,4. Ja. 3.6.
28

A h*froward man 11soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

h ch. 6.14,19; 15.18; 26.21; 29.22; 18.8; 17.9.
29

A iviolent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

i ch. 1.10-14; 2.12-15. Ac. 20.29. 2Pe. 2.1,2; 3.17.
30

He jshutteth his eyes to devise *froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

j Jn. 3.20. Mi. 2.1. ch. 6.12-14. Ps. 37.12.
31

The khoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found lin the way of righteousness.

k ch. 20.29. Le. 19.32.
l Ac. 24.16; 13.36. Lu. 1.6. 2Co. 1.12.
32

He that is mslow to anger is better than the mighty; nand he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

m ch. 14.29; 15.2,18; 19.11.
n ch. 4.23; 25.28. 2Ki. 19.7.
33

The olot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

o Jonah 1.7. Jos. 7.14; 18.10. 1Sa. 14.41,42. Ne. 11.1. Nu. 26.55. Ac. 1.26. Ju. 20.9.