2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits.
3 Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.
4 The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.
5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.
6 In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.
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 vast revenues without justice.
9 A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
10 Divination is on the lips of the king; His mouth must not transgress in judgment.
11 Honest weights and scales are the Lord's; All the weights in the bag are His work.
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right.
14 As messengers of death is the king's wrath, But a wise man will appease it. 15 In the light of the king's face is life, And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
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 a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 16:2-25
Commentary on Proverbs 16:2
(Read Proverbs 16:2)
Ignorance, pride, and self-flattery render us partial judges respecting our own conduct.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:3
(Read Proverbs 16:3)
Roll the burden of thy care upon God, and leave it with him, by faith and dependence on him.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:4
(Read Proverbs 16:4)
God makes use of the wicked to execute righteous vengeance on each other; and he will be glorified by their destruction at last.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:5
(Read Proverbs 16:5)
Though sinners strengthen themselves and one another, they shall not escape God's judgments.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:6
(Read Proverbs 16:6)
By the mercy and truth of God in Christ Jesus, the sins of believers are taken away, and the power of sin is broken.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:7
(Read Proverbs 16:7)
He that has all hearts in his hand, can make a man's enemies to be at peace with him.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:8
(Read Proverbs 16:8)
A small estate, honestly come by, will turn to better account than a great estate ill-gotten.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:9-10
(Read Proverbs 16:9-10)
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.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:11
(Read Proverbs 16:11)
To observe justice in dealings between man and man is God's appointment.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:12
(Read Proverbs 16:12)
The ruler that uses his power aright, will find that to be his best security.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:13
(Read Proverbs 16:13)
Put those in power who know how to speak to the purpose.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:14-15
(Read Proverbs 16:14-15)
Those are fools, who, to obtain the favour of an earthly prince, throw themselves out of God's favour.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:16
(Read Proverbs 16:16)
There is joy and satisfaction of spirit, only in getting wisdom.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:17
(Read Proverbs 16:17)
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.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:18
(Read Proverbs 16:18)
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.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:19-20
(Read Proverbs 16:19-20)
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.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:21
(Read Proverbs 16:21)
The man whose wisdom dwells in his heart, will be found more truly prudent than many who possess shining talents.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:22
(Read Proverbs 16:22)
As waters to a thirsty land, so is a wise man to his friends and neighbours.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:23
(Read Proverbs 16:23)
The wise man's self-knowledge, always suggests something proper to be spoken to others.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:24
(Read Proverbs 16:24)
The word of God cures the diseases that weaken our souls.
Commentary on Proverbs 16:25
(Read Proverbs 16:25)
This is caution to all, to take heed of deceiving themselves as to their souls.