Proverbs 16

1 People may make plans in their minds, but only the Lord can make them come true.

2 You may believe you are doing right, but the Lord will judge your reasons.

3 Depend on the Lord in whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

4 The Lord makes everything go as he pleases. He has even prepared a day of disaster for evil people.

5 The Lord hates those who are proud. They will surely be punished.

6 Love and truth bring forgiveness of sin. By respecting the Lord you will avoid evil.

7 When people live so that they please the Lord, even their enemies will make peace with them.

8 It is better to be poor and right than to be wealthy and dishonest.

9 People may make plans in their minds, but the Lord decides what they will do.

10 The words of a king are like a message from God, so his decisions should be fair.

11 The Lord wants honest balances and scales; all the weights are his work.

12 Kings hate those who do wrong, because governments only continue if they are fair.

13 Kings like honest people; they value someone who speaks the truth.

14 An angry king can put someone to death, so a wise person will try to make him happy.

15 A smiling king can give people life; his kindness is like a spring shower.

16 It is better to get wisdom than gold, and to choose understanding rather than silver!

17 Good people stay away from evil. By watching what they do, they protect their lives.

18 Pride will destroy a person; a proud attitude leads to ruin.

19 It is better to be humble and be with those who suffer than to share stolen property with the proud.

20 Whoever listens to what is taught will succeed, and whoever trusts the Lord will be happy.

21 The wise are known for their understanding. Their pleasant words make them better teachers.

22 Understanding is like a fountain which gives life to those who use it, but foolishness brings punishment to fools.

23 Wise people's minds tell them what to say, and that helps them be better teachers.

24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, making people happy and healthy.

25 Some people think they are doing right, but in the end it leads to death.

26 The workers' hunger helps them, because their desire to eat makes them work.

27 Useless people make evil plans, and their words are like a burning fire.

28 A useless person causes trouble, and a gossip ruins friendships.

29 Cruel people trick their neighbors and lead them to do wrong.

30 Someone who winks is planning evil, and the one who grins is planning something wrong.

31 Gray hair is like a crown of honor; it is earned by living a good life.

32 Patience is better than strength. Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city.

33 People throw lots to make a decision, but the answer comes from the Lord.

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Proverbs 16 Commentary

Chapter 16

Verse 1 The renewing grace of God alone prepares the heart for every good work. This teaches us that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing wise and good. Verse 2 . Ignorance, pride, and self-flattery render us partial judges respecting our own conduct. Verse 3 . Roll the burden of thy care upon God, and leave it with him, by faith and dependence on him. Verse 4 . God makes use of the wicked to execute righteous vengeance on each other; and he will be glorified by their destruction at last. Verse 5 . Though sinners strengthen themselves and one another, they shall not escape God's judgments. Verse 6 . By the mercy and truth of God in Christ Jesus, the sins of believers are taken away, and the power of sin is broken. Verse 7 . He that has all hearts in his hand, can make a man's enemies to be at peace with him. Verse 8 . A small estate, honestly come by, will turn to better account than a great estate ill-gotten. Verse 9 . If men make God's glory their end, and his will their rule, he will direct their steps by his Spirit and grace. 10. Let kings and judges of the earth be just, and rule in the fear of God. Verse 11 . To observe justice in dealings between man and man is God's appointment. Verse 12 . The ruler that uses his power aright, will find that to be his best security. Verse 13 . Put those in power who know how to ( proverbs 16:14-15 ) the favour of an earthly prince, throw themselves out of God's favour. Verse 16 . There is joy and satisfaction of spirit, only in getting wisdom. Verse 17 . A sincerely religious man keeps at a distance from every appearance of evil. Happy is the man that walks in Christ, and is led by the Spirit of Christ. Verse 18 . When men defy God's judgments, and think themselves far from them, it is a sign they are at the door. Let us not fear the pride of others, but fear pride in ourselves. Verse 19 . Humility, though it exposes to contempt in the world, is much better than high-spiritedness, which makes God an enemy. He that understands God's word shall find good. Verse 21 . The man whose wisdom dwells in his heart, will be found more truly prudent than many who possess shining talents. Verse 22 . As waters to a thirsty land, so is a wise man to his friends and neighbours. Verse 23 . The wise man's self-knowledge, always suggests something proper to be spoken to others. Verse 24 . The word of God cures the diseases that weaken our souls. Verse 25 . This is caution to all, to take heed of deceiving themselves as to their souls. Verse 26 . We must labour for the meat which endureth to everlasting life, or we must perish. ( proverbs 16:27-28 ) be needful to do good. The whisperer separates friends: what a ( proverbs 16:29-30 ) mischief they can by force and violence, and are blind to the result. Verse 31 . Old people especially should be found in the way of religion and godliness. Verse 32 . To overcome our own passions, requires more steady management, than obtaining victory over an enemy. Verse 33 . All the disposal of Providence concerning our affairs, we must look upon to be the determining what we referred to God; and we must be reconciled to them accordingly. Blessed are those that give themselves up to the will of God; for he knows what is good for them.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 6

This chapter gives an account of the building of the temple, for which preparations were before made and begins with the time of its building, 1Ki 6:1; gives the dimensions of it and the porch before it, 1Ki 6:2,3; observes the windows in it and chambers about it, 1Ki 6:4-10; and while it was building, Solomon had a word from the Lord relative to it, 1Ki 6:11-14; and then the account goes on concerning the walls of the house, and the flooring of it, 1Ki 6:15-18; and the oracle in it, and the cherubim in that, 1Ki 6:19-30; and the doors into it, and the carved work of them, 1Ki 6:31-36; and the chapter is concluded with observing the time when it was begun and finished 1Ki 6:37,38.