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Proverbs 16

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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.

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Proverbs 16:1 Verse 1

The renewing grace of God alone prepares the heart for every good work. This teaches us that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing wise and good.

Proverbs 16:2 Verse 2

Ignorance, pride, and self-flattery render us partial judges respecting our own conduct.

Proverbs 16:3 Verse 3

Roll the burden of thy care upon God, and leave it with him, by faith and dependence on him.

Proverbs 16:4 Verse 4

God makes use of the wicked to execute righteous vengeance on each other; and he will be glorified by their destruction at last.

Proverbs 16:5 Verse 5

Though sinners strengthen themselves and one another, they shall not escape God's judgments.

Proverbs 16:6 Verse 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.

Proverbs 16:7 Verse 7

He that has all hearts in his hand, can make a man's enemies to be at peace with him.

Proverbs 16:8 Verse 8

A small estate, honestly come by, will turn to better account than a great estate ill-gotten.

Proverbs 16:9 Verse 9

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.

Proverbs 16:11 Verse 11

To observe justice in dealings between man and man is God's appointment.

Proverbs 16:12 Verse 12

The ruler that uses his power aright, will find that to be his best security.

Proverbs 16:13 Verse 13

Put those in power who know how to speak to the purpose.

Proverbs 16:14-15 Verses 14, 15

Those are fools, who, to obtain the favour of an earthly prince, throw themselves out of God's favour.

Proverbs 16:16 Verse 16

There is joy and satisfaction of spirit, only in getting wisdom.

Proverbs 16:17 Verse 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.

Proverbs 16:18 Verse 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.

Proverbs 16:19 Verse 19

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.

Proverbs 16:21 Verse 21

The man whose wisdom dwells in his heart, will be found more truly prudent than many who possess shining talents.

Proverbs 16:22 Verse 22

As waters to a thirsty land, so is a wise man to his friends and neighbours.

Proverbs 16:23 Verse 23

The wise man's self-knowledge, always suggests something proper to be spoken to others.

Proverbs 16:24 Verse 24

The word of God cures the diseases that weaken our souls.

Proverbs 16:25 Verse 25

This is caution to all, to take heed of deceiving themselves as to their souls.

Proverbs 16:26 Verse 26

We must labour for the meat which endureth to everlasting life, or we must perish.

Proverbs 16:27-28 Verses 27, 28

Ungodly men bestow more pains to do mischief than would be needful to do good. The whisperer separates friends: what a hateful, but how common a character!

Proverbs 16:29-30 Verses 29, 30

Some do all the mischief they can by force and violence, and are blind to the result.

Proverbs 16:31 Verse 31

Old people especially should be found in the way of religion and godliness.

Proverbs 16:32 Verse 32

To overcome our own passions, requires more steady management, than obtaining victory over an enemy.

Proverbs 16:33 Verse 33

All the disposal of Providence concerning our affairs, we must look upon to be the determining what we referred to God; and we must be reconciled to them accordingly. Blessed are those that give themselves up to the will of God; for he knows what is good for them.

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Key Words and Topics

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7 Deadly Sins Proverbs 16:18

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Ablution: Figurative Proverbs 16:6

By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.

Age and Wisdom Proverbs 16:31

Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.

Aging Proverbs 16:31

Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.

Anger Management Proverbs 16:32

He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

Anger: Be Slow To Proverbs 16:32

He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

Anger: General Scriptures Concerning Proverbs 16:14, 29, 32

The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. / A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good. / He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

Backstabbers Proverbs 16:28

A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.

Backstabbing Proverbs 16:28

A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.

Bad Friends Proverbs 16:28

A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.

Bad Leadership Proverbs 16:12

Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.

Balance Proverbs 16:11

Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.

Balances: Must be Just Proverbs 16:11

Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.

Basketball Proverbs 16:3

Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.

Being a Good Leader Proverbs 16:7

When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

Being An Encourager Proverbs 16:24

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Being Honest Proverbs 16:13

Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.

Being Lucky Proverbs 16:33

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

Being Yourself Proverbs 16:3

Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.

Blessing: Spiritual, from God Proverbs 16:6

By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.

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