2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering the spirits.
3 Roll unto Jehovah thy works, And established are thy purposes,
4 All things hath Jehovah wrought for Himself, And also the wicked 'worketh' for a day of evil.
5 An abomination to Jehovah 'is' every proud one of heart, Hand to hand he is not acquitted.
6 In kindness and truth pardoned is iniquity, And in the fear of Jehovah Turn thou aside from evil.
7 When a man's ways please Jehovah, even his enemies, He causeth to be at peace with him.
8 Better 'is' a little with righteousness, Than abundance of increase without justice.
9 The heart of man deviseth his way, And Jehovah establisheth his step.
10 An oath 'is' on the lips of a king, In judgment his mouth trespasseth not.
11 A just beam and balances 'are' Jehovah's, His work 'are' all the stones of the bag.
12 An abomination to kings 'is' doing wickedness, For by righteousness is a throne established.
13 The delight of kings 'are' righteous lips, And whoso is speaking uprightly he loveth,
14 The fury of a king 'is' messengers of death, And a wise man pacifieth it. 15 In the light of a king's face 'is' life, And his good-will 'is' as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 To get wisdom—how much better than gold, And to get understanding to be chosen than silver!
17 A highway of the upright 'is', 'Turn from evil,' Whoso is preserving his soul is watching his way.
18 Before destruction 'is' pride, And before stumbling—a haughty spirit.'
19 Better is humility of spirit with the poor, Than to apportion spoil with the proud.
20 The wise in any matter findeth good, And whoso is trusting in Jehovah, O his happiness.
21 To the wise in heart is called, 'Intelligent,' And sweetness of lips increaseth learning.
22 A fountain of life 'is' understanding to its possessors, The instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise causeth his mouth to act wisely, And by his lips he increaseth learning,
24 Sayings of pleasantness 'are' a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone.
25 There is a way right before a man, And its latter end—ways 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.