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Proverbs 16

Proverbs book home•Chapter 16 of 31•33 verses

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Proverbs 16 Overview

The sayings address motives, committed works, God's purposes, pride, just weights, kingship, wise speech, and the tension between human planning and the LORD directing the steps.

ProverbsBook

16Chapter

33Verses

PoetryDivision

Before you read Proverbs 16

Coming from

Proverbs 15 emphasized words, correction, worship, and plans all lie before the lord. Because many proverbs are individual sayings rather than a continuous argument, the chapter-to-chapter connection is thematic rather than narrative.

In this chapter

The sayings address motives, committed works, God's purposes, pride, just weights, kingship, wise speech, and the tension between human planning and the LORD directing the steps.

Leads into

Proverbs 17 turns to wisdom in conflict, family, friendship, and speech, expanding wisdom into another set of choices, contrasts, and observations.

Key understandingExplore deeper

“The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil” affirms God's sovereign purpose and judgment; it does not make God morally responsible for wicked choices. Proverbs uses compact wisdom sayings to train judgment. Its normal patterns describe how God’s moral order ordinarily works; they are not mechanical guarantees that remove human freedom, suffering, or providence.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Central truth

Human plans operate under God's sovereign rule.

Wisdom truth

In Proverbs 16, wisdom is moral skill under the fear of the LORD, not merely intelligence or practical cleverness.

Providence truth

In Proverbs 16, human planning is real and responsible, yet the LORD remains sovereign over outcomes.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Wisdom connection

James 1:5 says those who lack wisdom should ask God, who gives generously. This connection helps frame Proverbs 16.

Providence connection

Romans 8:28 affirms God’s purposeful work for those who love Him without denying real suffering. This connection helps frame Proverbs 16.

Integrity connection

Leviticus 19:35-36 commands honest measures. This connection helps frame Proverbs 16.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep wisdom in context

Do not read Proverbs 16 as a set of magic formulas. Proverbs trains wise judgment in the ordinary moral order God established.

Keep providence in context

God’s sovereignty in Proverbs 16 does not erase human planning, moral choice, or accountability.

Read Proverbs 16 watching for…

preparations heart.

commit works.

pride before destruction.

just weight.

man devises LORD directs.

Chapter outline4 sections

1-8Commit works to the LORD, who weighs hearts, orders purposes, and values righteousness over gain 9-17God directs steps; righteous rulers value truth, and the upright avoid evil 18-24Pride precedes destruction, while humility, wisdom, and pleasant words bring life 25-33The wrong way can look right; evil speech and violence spread trouble, but self-rule is better than conquest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Proverbs 16:2

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