Proverbs 16
Lutheran reading notes
In Proverbs chapter 16, the wisdom literature continues to explore wisdom for righteous living and reverence for God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.
1
The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, {is} from the LORD. {preparations: or, disposings}
Proverbs 16:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
All the ways of a man {are} clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
3
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. {Commit: Heb. Roll}
Proverbs 16:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
The LORD hath made all {things} for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Proverbs 16:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
Every one {that is} proud in heart {is} an abomination to the LORD: {though} hand {join} in hand, he shall not be unpunished. {unpunished: Heb. held innocent}
Proverbs 16:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD {men} depart from evil.
Proverbs 16:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Proverbs 16:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
Better {is} a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
Proverbs 16:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
A divine sentence {is} in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. {A divine...: Heb. Divination}
Proverbs 16:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
A just weight and balance {are} the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag {are} his work. {the weights: Heb. the stones}
Proverbs 16:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
{It is} an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
Proverbs 16:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
Righteous lips {are} the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
Proverbs 16:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
The wrath of a king {is as} messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
Proverbs 16:14 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
In the light of the king's countenance {is} life; and his favour {is} as a cloud of the latter rain.
Proverbs 16:15 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
How much better {is it} to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Proverbs 16:16 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
The highway of the upright {is} to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
Proverbs 16:17 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
Pride {goeth} before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19
Better {it is to be} of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Proverbs 16:19 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy {is} he. {handleth...: or, understandeth a matter}
Proverbs 16:20 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
Proverbs 16:21 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22
Understanding {is} a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools {is} folly.
Proverbs 16:22 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
23
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. {teacheth: Heb. maketh wise}
Proverbs 16:23 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
24
Pleasant words {are as} an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
25
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof {are} the ways of death.
Proverbs 16:25 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
26
He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. {He...: Heb. The soul of him that} {craveth...: Heb. boweth unto him}
Proverbs 16:26 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
27
An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips {there is} as a burning fire. {An...: Heb. A man of Belial}
Proverbs 16:27 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
28
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. {soweth: Heb. sendeth forth}
Proverbs 16:28 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
29
A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way {that is} not good.
Proverbs 16:29 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
30
He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
Proverbs 16:30 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
31
The hoary head {is} a crown of glory, {if} it be found in the way of righteousness.
Proverbs 16:31 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
32
{He that is} slow to anger {is} better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Proverbs 16:32 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
33
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof {is} of the LORD.
Proverbs 16:33 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.