1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh. 2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Yahweh weighs the motives. 3Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed. 4Yahweh has made everything for its own end-- yes, even the wicked for the day of evil. 5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: they shall certainly not be unpunished. 6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil. 7When a man's ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice. 9A man's heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps. 10Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth. 11Honest balances and scales are Yahweh's; all the weights in the bag are his work. 12It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness. 13Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth. 14The king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. 15In the light of the king's face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain. 16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. 17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul. 18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud. 20He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed. 21The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction. 22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly. 23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. 24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. 25There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. 26The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on. 27A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire. 28A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends. 29A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good. 30One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil. 31Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness. 32One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city. 33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.
The Book ofProverbs 16Chapter XVI 16
· 33 verses · 4 minute read
About this chapter
Proverbs 16 — Golden Age of Israel
Solomon — Wisest king of Israel, writer of thousands of proverbs. Set in Royal court and streets of Jerusalem. Solomon explores the mysterious balance between human planning and divine sovereignty. He reveals how we make our plans but God directs our steps, how pride leads to destruction while humility brings honor. The king who ruled with both human wisdom and divine guidance shows how true success comes from aligning our will with God's purposes.
“Proverbs 16:9”— 16:9
Read when: Read this when you're making important plans but need to remember who ultimately controls the outcome.
Key verses in Proverbs 16
Proverbs 16:18Proverbs 16:16Proverbs 16:8
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