Proverbs 16
King James Version
Dennis Edwards: I have left the King James as it were only deleting the "ths" and changing them to "s" or dropping them completely. The Proverbs are self explanatory. Rather than make many comments, I will let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart as you read. However, in some cases I may add something to make the meaning clearer.
If you haven't made the reading of Proverbs a daily habit in your walk with God, you have really missed something. With thirty-one Proverbs available, one can read one chapter a day and find a rich source of wisdom and knowledge from God at one's disposal. Please incorporate the reading of the Proverbs into your daily devotions or vespers.
16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.
16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.
I always analyse the conversations I have with others. It seems the verse is saying that the Sovereign God is over our conversation and we may be able to find God's will in the course of the day from the answers that other give us. Their answers, the verse seems to be indicating, are from the Lord in our search for finding His will for the day or in our lives.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weighs the spirits.
3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weighs the spirits.
3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
I like to use this verse in prayer. "Lord, we commit our works unto You. Establish our thoughts." A little prayer like that can make a big difference in your decision making as you are acknowledging the Lord in your activity. He will therefore come into the equation and help align your thinking and acting according to His will for you in that situation. Proverbs 3:6 says, "In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths."
4 The Lord has made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
4 The Lord has made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
The Lord has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. His arms are open to all who will come unto Him. The wicked, in his pride and arrogancy, refuse the Lord's mercy and love. As a result, the wicked reap God's judgment upon themselves in their refusal to submit to their Creator.
5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Pride is a great enemy of God for He dwells with the contrite and humble heart. God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
Interesting enough, it was by Jesus Christ that "grace (or mercy) and truth came, John 1:17. Apostle Paul tells us that in Jesus is "hid all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge," Colossians 2:3. Jesus Himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes unto the Father, but by me," John 14:6. Apostle John tells us that God is love, 1 John 4:7. Therefore, the pillars or characteristics most profound in the Christian belief system are love (or mercy, or grace) and truth. Love and truth are the pillars or building blocks upon which the Christian belief system stand.
7 When 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 without right.
9 A man's heart devises his way: but the Lord directs his steps.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresses 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 speaks 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 keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride goes 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 handles a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increases learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that has it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds 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 seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26 He that labours labours for himself; for his mouth craves it of him.
27 An ungodly man digs up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28 A froward man sows strife: and a whisperer (gossiper) separates chief friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbour, and leads him into the way that is not good.
30 He shuts his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he brings evil to pass.
31 The hoary (grey) 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 rules his spirit than he that takes a city.
7 When 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 without right.
9 A man's heart devises his way: but the Lord directs his steps.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresses 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 speaks 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 keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride goes 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 handles a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increases learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that has it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds 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 seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26 He that labours labours for himself; for his mouth craves it of him.
27 An ungodly man digs up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28 A froward man sows strife: and a whisperer (gossiper) separates chief friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbour, and leads him into the way that is not good.
30 He shuts his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he brings evil to pass.
31 The hoary (grey) 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 rules his spirit than he that takes a city.
The downfall of many of us is our lack of self-control. Self-control is actually a gift of the Holy Spirit. The ideas of Siddhartha, the founder of Buddhism, centre around man's need to control his desires. If we don't get the victory over the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, we are doomed to defeat. Apostle Paul tells us to put those desires to death, Colossians 3:5. Jesus, before starting His own ministry was tempted by the Devil, but resisted him with the word of God. We must do likewise. We can have victory over our besetting sins through Christ. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," Philippians 4:13.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
It seems to be saying that the Sovereign Lord is in fact in control. All things will work together for good to them that love and trust God. He is the One ultimately in control and will bring good even out of genuinely horrible situations, if we trust and love Him through it, and in spite of what it seems like.
Proverbs 15Proverbs 17
King James Version (KJV)
Proverbs 15Proverbs 17
King James Version (KJV)
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