The chapter opens by contrasting human plans with the LORD's governing answer, weighing of motives, establishment of plans, and direction of steps. A person may think his ways are pure, but the LORD weighs motives. The learner is told to commit his work to the LORD. The LORD works everything to its proper end, detests the proud, atones for sin through love and faithfulness, and makes even enemies live at peace when a person's ways please him. Better is little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. People plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.
Proverbs 16:1
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.
Proverbs 16:2
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.
Proverbs 16:4
4 Yahweh has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Proverbs 16:5
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: they shall certainly not be unpunished.
Proverbs 16:6
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.
Proverbs 16:7
7 When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Proverbs 16:8
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.
The chapter turns to royal wisdom. A king's lips should speak as an oracle, and his mouth must not betray justice. Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD, and all weights in the bag are of his making. Kings detest wrongdoing because a throne is established through righteousness. Kings take pleasure in honest lips and value the one who speaks what is right. The wrath of a king is like a messenger of death, but the wise appease it. The king's face shining means life, and his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
Proverbs 16:10
10 Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
Proverbs 16:11
11 Honest balances and scales are Yahweh’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.
Proverbs 16:12
12 It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
Proverbs 16:13
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
Proverbs 16:14
14 The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
Proverbs 16:15
15 In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
Wisdom and understanding are better than gold and silver. The highway of the upright avoids evil, and the one who guards his way preserves his life. Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
Proverbs 16:17
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 an arrogant spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:19
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
Proverbs 16:20
20 He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.
The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Yet the chapter warns again that there is a way that appears right, but in the end it leads to death.
Proverbs 16:21
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
Proverbs 16:22
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.
Proverbs 16:25
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
A laborer's appetite works for him because hunger drives him on. A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. A violent person entices a neighbor and leads him down a bad path. One who winks with his eye or purses his lips is bent on evil, signaling hidden schemes and corrupt intent.
Proverbs 16:26
26 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.
Proverbs 16:27
27 A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
Proverbs 16:28
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.
Proverbs 16:30
30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
The chapter closes with wisdom about honor, self-control, and divine sovereignty. Gray hair is a crown of splendor when found in the way of righteousness. Better is patience than warrior strength, and better is self-control than conquering a city. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
Proverbs 16:31
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.
Proverbs 16:33
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.