2 All one's ways may be pure in one's own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.
3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the Lord; be assured, they will not go unpunished.
6 By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.
7 When the ways of people please the Lord, he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than large income with injustice.
9 The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.
10 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves those who speak what is right.
14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and whoever is wise will appease it. 15 In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their way preserve their lives.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper, and happy are those who trust in the Lord.
21 The wise of heart is called perceptive, and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it, but folly is the punishment of fools.
23 The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious, and adds persuasiveness to their lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
25 Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right, but in the end it is the way to 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.