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Proverbs 16

BSB·33 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1The plansמַֽעַרְכֵי־ma·‘ar·ḵê- — Arrangement, preparation, or orderH4633 — Full Word Study → of the heartלֵ֑בlêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → belong to manלְאָדָ֥םlə·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →, but the replyמַעֲנֵ֥הma·‘ă·nêh — answer, response, replyH4617 — Full Word Study → of the tongueלָשֽׁוֹן׃lā·šō·wn — Tongue; language; speechH3956 — Full Word Study → is from the LORD. 2Allכָּֽל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → a man’sאִ֭ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → waysדַּרְכֵי־dar·ḵê- — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → are pure in his own eyesבְּעֵינָ֑יוbə·‘ê·nāw — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →, but his motivesרוּח֣וֹתrū·ḥō·wṯ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → are weighed outוְתֹכֵ֖ןwə·ṯō·ḵên — To weigh, measure, or balance; to ponder or consider carefullyH8505 — Full Word Study → by the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 3Commitגֹּ֣לgōl — to roll, turn over, or commitH1556 — Full Word Study → your worksמַעֲשֶׂ֑יךָma·‘ă·śe·ḵā — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → and your plansמַחְשְׁבֹתֶֽיךָ׃maḥ·šə·ḇō·ṯe·ḵā — plan, purpose, or scheme (often with moral implications)H4284 — Full Word Study → will be achievedוְ֝יִכֹּ֗נוּwə·yik·kō·nū — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study →. 4The LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → has madeפָּעַ֣לpā·‘al — to do, work, make, performH6466 — Full Word Study → everythingכֹּ֤לkōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → for His purposeלַֽמַּעֲנֵ֑הוּlam·ma·‘ă·nê·hū — answer, response, replyH4617 — Full Word Study →evenוְגַם־wə·ḡam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → the wickedרָ֝שָׁ֗עrā·šā‘ — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → for the dayלְי֣וֹםlə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of disasterרָעָֽה׃rā·‘āh — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →. 5Everyoneכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who is proud in heartלֵ֑בlêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → is detestableתּוֹעֲבַ֣תtō·w·‘ă·ḇaṯ — Abomination; something detestable or loathsomeH8441 — Full Word Study → to the LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →; be assured thatיָ֥דyāḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → he will notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → go unpunishedיִנָּקֶֽה׃yin·nā·qeh — to be clean, innocent, or acquittedH5352 — Full Word Study →. 6By loving devotionבְּחֶ֣סֶדbə·ḥe·seḏ — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → and faithfulnessוֶ֭אֱמֶתwe·’ĕ·meṯ — Truth; faithfulness; reliability; what is established and sureH571 — Full Word Study → iniquity isעָוֺ֑ן‘ā·wōn — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study → atoned forיְכֻפַּ֣רyə·ḵup·par — To atone; to cover sin and make reconciliationH3722 — Full Word Study →, and by the fearוּבְיִרְאַ֥תū·ḇə·yir·’aṯ — Fear, reverence, dread, or aweH3374 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → one turns aside from evilמֵרָֽע׃mê·rā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →. 7When a man’sאִ֑ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → waysדַּרְכֵי־dar·ḵê- — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → pleaseבִּרְצ֣וֹתbir·ṣō·wṯ — to accept, be pleased with, delight inH7521 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, He makes evenגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → the man’s enemies live at peaceיַשְׁלִ֥םyaš·lim — to complete, make peace, repayH7999 — Full Word Study → with himאִתּֽוֹ׃’it·tōw — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study →. 8Betterטוֹב־ṭō·wḇ- — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → a littleמְ֭עַטmə·‘aṭ — A small amount; little; fewH4592 — Full Word Study → with righteousnessבִּצְדָקָ֑הbiṣ·ḏā·qāh — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study → than greatמֵרֹ֥בmê·rōḇ — Abundance, multitude, or great quantityH7230 — Full Word Study → gainתְּ֝בוּא֗וֹתtə·ḇū·’ō·wṯ — Produce, yield, or harvestH8393 — Full Word Study → with injusticeבְּלֹ֣אbə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study →. 9A man’sאָ֭דָם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → heartלֵ֣בlêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → plansיְחַשֵּׁ֣בyə·ḥaš·šêḇ — to think, devise, plan, or reckonH2803 — Full Word Study → his courseדַּרְכּ֑וֹdar·kōw — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study →, but the LORDוַֽ֝יהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → determinesיָכִ֥יןyā·ḵîn — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study → his stepsצַעֲדֽוֹ׃ṣa·‘ă·ḏōw — a step, pace, or measured strideH6806 — Full Word Study →. 10A divine verdictקֶ֤סֶם׀qe·sem — divination, casting of lots, or occult practiceH7081 — Full Word Study → is onעַֽל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the lipsשִׂפְתֵי־śip̄·ṯê- — Lips; edge, border, or shoreH8193 — Full Word Study → of a kingמֶ֑לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study →; his mouthפִּֽיו׃pîw — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → must notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → betrayיִמְעַל־yim·‘al- — to act treacherously; betray trust through unfaithfulnessH4603 — Full Word Study → justiceבְּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗טbə·miš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study →. 11Honestמִ֭שְׁפָּטmiš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study → scalesפֶּ֤לֶס׀pe·les — scales; balance; weighing deviceH6425 — Full Word Study → and balancesוּמֹאזְנֵ֣יū·mō·zə·nê — scales, balance, or balances for weighingH3976 — Full Word Study → are from the LORD; allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the weightsאַבְנֵי־’aḇ·nê- — Stone; rock; precious stoneH68 — Full Word Study → in the bagכִֽיס׃ḵîs — Purse, bag, or pouch for carrying itemsH3599 — Full Word Study → are His concernמַ֝עֲשֵׂ֗הוּma·‘ă·śê·hū — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study →. 12Wickedרֶ֑שַׁעre·ša‘ — Wickedness, moral evil, depravityH7562 — Full Word Study → behaviorעֲשׂ֣וֹת‘ă·śō·wṯ — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → is detestableתּוֹעֲבַ֣תtō·w·‘ă·ḇaṯ — Abomination; something detestable or loathsomeH8441 — Full Word Study → to kings, forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → a throneכִּסֵּֽא׃kis·sê — Throne; seat of authority and rulershipH3678 — Full Word Study → is establishedיִכּ֥וֹןyik·kō·wn — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study → through righteousnessבִ֝צְדָקָ֗הḇiṣ·ḏā·qāh — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study →. 13Righteousצֶ֑דֶקṣe·ḏeq — Righteousness, justice, right standingH6664 — Full Word Study → lipsשִׂפְתֵי־śip̄·ṯê- — Lips; edge, border, or shoreH8193 — Full Word Study → are a king’sמְ֭לָכִיםmə·lā·ḵîm — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → delightרְצ֣וֹןrə·ṣō·wn — Favor, pleasure, or acceptable willH7522 — Full Word Study →, and he who speaksוְדֹבֵ֖רwə·ḏō·ḇêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → honestlyיְשָׁרִ֣יםyə·šā·rîm — upright, straight, righteous, justH3477 — Full Word Study → is belovedיֶאֱהָֽב׃ye·’ĕ·hāḇ — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study →. 14The wrathחֲמַת־ḥă·maṯ- — Intense rage, burning wrath, divine angerH2534 — Full Word Study → of a kingמֶ֥לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → is a messengerמַלְאֲכֵי־mal·’ă·ḵê- — messenger; angel; envoyH4397 — Full Word Study → of deathמָ֑וֶתmā·weṯ — death, the state of being deadH4194 — Full Word Study →, but a wiseחָכָ֣םḥā·ḵām — Wise, skilled, or cunning in understanding and discernmentH2450 — Full Word Study → manוְאִ֖ישׁwə·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → will pacify itיְכַפְּרֶֽנָּה׃yə·ḵap·pə·ren·nāh — To atone; to cover sin and make reconciliationH3722 — Full Word Study →. 15When a king’sמֶ֥לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → faceפְּנֵי־pə·nê- — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → brightensבְּאוֹר־bə·’ō·wr- — Light; brightness; illuminationH216 — Full Word Study →, there is lifeחַיִּ֑יםḥay·yîm — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study →; his favorוּ֝רְצוֹנ֗וֹū·rə·ṣō·w·nōw — Favor, pleasure, or acceptable willH7522 — Full Word Study → is like a rain cloudכְּעָ֣בkə·‘āḇ — Cloud, thick cloud, or cloud massH5645 — Full Word Study → in springמַלְקֽוֹשׁ׃mal·qō·wōš — Spring rain; latter rainH4456 — Full Word Study →. 16How muchמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → betterטּ֥וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → to acquireקְֽנֹה־qə·nōh- — to acquire, buy, or possess through paymentH7069 — Full Word Study → wisdomחָכְמָ֗הḥāḵ·māh — Wisdom; skillful understanding and discernmentH2451 — Full Word Study → than goldמֵחָר֑וּץmê·ḥā·rūṣ — Gold; determination; sharp threshing toolH2742 — Full Word Study →! To gainוּקְנ֥וֹתū·qə·nō·wṯ — to acquire, buy, or possess through paymentH7069 — Full Word Study → understandingבִּ֝ינָ֗הbî·nāh — Understanding; discernment; insightH998 — Full Word Study → is more desirableנִבְחָ֥רniḇ·ḥār — To choose, select, or preferH977 — Full Word Study → than silverמִכָּֽסֶף׃mik·kā·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study →. 17The highwayמְסִלַּ֣תmə·sil·laṯ — Highway, causeway, or raised pathH4546 — Full Word Study → of the uprightיְ֭שָׁרִיםyə·šā·rîm — upright, straight, righteous, justH3477 — Full Word Study → leads awayס֣וּרsūr — to turn aside, depart, removeH5493 — Full Word Study → from evilמֵרָ֑עmê·rā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →; he who guardsנֹצֵ֥רnō·ṣêr — to guard, watch, keep, preserveH5341 — Full Word Study → his wayדַּרְכּֽוֹ׃dar·kōw — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → protectsשֹׁמֵ֥רšō·mêr — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → his lifeנַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹnap̄·šōw — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →. 18Prideגָּא֑וֹןgā·’ō·wn — Pride, arrogance, majesty, or splendorH1347 — Full Word Study → goes beforeלִפְנֵי־lip̄·nê- — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → destructionשֶׁ֥בֶרše·ḇer — Breaking, fracture, or shattering; destruction or ruinH7667 — Full Word Study →, and a haughtyגֹּ֣בַהּgō·ḇah — Height, loftiness, or exaltationH1363 — Full Word Study → spiritרֽוּחַ׃rū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → beforeוְלִפְנֵ֥יwə·lip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → a fallכִ֝שָּׁל֗וֹןḵiš·šā·lō·wn — Stumbling, fall, ruinH3783 — Full Word Study →. 19It is betterט֣וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → to be lowlyשְׁפַל־šə·p̄al- — To make low, humble, or abaseH8213 — Full Word Study → in spiritר֭וּחַrū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → amongאֶת־’eṯ- — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study → the humbleעֲנִיִּיםʿă·nī·yīm — Poor, afflicted, humbleH6041 — Full Word Study → than to divideמֵֽחַלֵּ֥קmê·ḥal·lêq — to divide, distribute, or apportion; to be smooth or flatterH2505 — Full Word Study → the spoilשָׁ֝לָ֗לšā·lāl — Plunder, spoils of war; prey taken in battleH7998 — Full Word Study → withאֶת־’eṯ- — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study → the proudגֵּאִֽים׃gê·’îm — proud, haughty, arrogantH1343 — Full Word Study →. 20Whoever heedsמַשְׂכִּ֣ילmaś·kîl — To act wisely; to understand, prosper, or give skillH7919 — Full Word Study → instructionדָּ֭בָרdā·ḇār — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → will findיִמְצָא־yim·ṣā- — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → successט֑וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study →, and blessedאַשְׁרָֽיו׃’aš·rāw — blessed, happy, fortunateH835 — Full Word Study → is he who trustsוּבוֹטֵ֖חַū·ḇō·w·ṭê·aḥ — to trust, rely on, have confidenceH982 — Full Word Study → in the LORDבַּיהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 21The wiseלַחֲכַם־la·ḥă·ḵam- — Wise, skilled, or cunning in understanding and discernmentH2450 — Full Word Study → in heartלֵ֭בlêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → are calledיִקָּרֵ֣אyiq·qā·rê — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → discerningנָב֑וֹןnā·ḇō·wn — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study →, and pleasantוּמֶ֥תֶקū·me·ṯeq — Sweetness, pleasant taste or experienceH4986 — Full Word Study → speechשְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִםśə·p̲ā·t̲a·yim — Lips; edge, border, or shoreH8193 — Full Word Study → promotesיֹסִ֥יףyō·sîp̄ — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study → instructionלֶֽקַח׃le·qaḥ — Teaching, doctrine, or instructionH3948 — Full Word Study →. 22Understandingשֵׂ֣כֶלśê·ḵel — Understanding, prudent discernment, practical wisdomH7922 — Full Word Study → is a fountainמְק֣וֹרmə·qō·wr — A spring, fountain, or source of waterH4726 — Full Word Study → of lifeחַ֭יִּיםḥay·yîm — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study → to its possessorבְּעָלָ֑יוbə·‘ā·lāw — Master, owner, lord, husbandH1167 — Full Word Study →, but the disciplineוּמוּסַ֖רū·mū·sar — Discipline, instruction, or correctionH4148 — Full Word Study → of foolsאֱוִלִ֣ים’ĕ·wi·lîm — a foolish or senseless personH191 — Full Word Study → is follyאִוֶּֽלֶת׃’iw·we·leṯ — foolishness, senselessness, moral depravityH200 — Full Word Study →. 23The heartלֵ֣בlêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → of the wise man instructsיַשְׂכִּ֣ילyaś·kîl — To act wisely; to understand, prosper, or give skillH7919 — Full Word Study → his mouthפִּ֑יהוּpî·hū — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → and addsיֹסִ֥יףyō·sîp̄ — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study → persuasivenessלֶֽקַח׃le·qaḥ — Teaching, doctrine, or instructionH3948 — Full Word Study → toוְעַל־wə·‘a·lś- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → his lipsשְׂ֝פָתָ֗יוśə·p̲ā·t̲āyw — Lips; edge, border, or shoreH8193 — Full Word Study →. 24Pleasantנֹ֑עַםnō·‘am — Pleasantness, beauty, grace, or charmH5278 — Full Word Study → wordsאִמְרֵי־’im·rê- — Word, speech, saying, utteranceH561 — Full Word Study → are a honeycombצוּף־ṣūp̄- — honeycomb, honey in the combH6688 — Full Word Study →, sweetמָת֥וֹקmā·ṯō·wq — sweet, pleasant to taste or experienceH4966 — Full Word Study → to the soulלַ֝נֶּפֶשׁlan·ne·p̄eš — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → and healingוּמַרְפֵּ֥אū·mar·pê — healing, cure, remedy, restoration to healthH4832 — Full Word Study → to the bonesלָעָֽצֶם׃lā·‘ā·ṣem — bone; body; substance; strengthH6106 — Full Word Study →. 25There isיֵ֤שׁyêš — there is, exists, has beingH3426 — Full Word Study → a wayדֶּ֣רֶךְde·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → that seems rightיָ֭שָׁרyā·šār — upright, straight, righteous, justH3477 — Full Word Study → toלִפְנֵי־lip̄·nê- — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → a manאִ֑ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →, but its endוְ֝אַחֲרִיתָ֗הּwə·’a·ḥă·rî·ṯāh — End, latter time, final outcomeH319 — Full Word Study → is the wayדַּרְכֵי־dar·ḵê- — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → of deathמָֽוֶת׃mā·weṯ — death, the state of being deadH4194 — Full Word Study →. 26A worker’sעָ֭מֵל‘ā·mêl — laborer; toil; trouble; miseryH6001 — Full Word Study → appetiteנֶ֣פֶשׁne·p̄eš — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → worksעָ֣מְלָה‘ā·mə·lāh — to toil, labor, exert effortH5998 — Full Word Study → for him becauseכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → his hungerפִּֽיהוּ׃pî·hū — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → drives himאָכַ֖ף’ā·ḵap̄ — to crave, desire intenselyH404 — Full Word Study → onwardעָלָ֣יו‘ā·lāw — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. 27A worthlessבְּ֭לִיַּעַלbə·lî·ya·‘al — Worthlessness, WickednessH1100 — Full Word Study → manאִ֣ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → digs upכֹּרֶ֣הkō·reh — To dig; to plot or schemeH3738 — Full Word Study → evilרָעָ֑הrā·‘āh — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →, and his speechשְׂפָתָיוśə·p̄å̄·ṯå̄w — Lips; edge, border, or shoreH8193 — Full Word Study → is like a scorchingצָרָֽבֶת׃ṣā·rā·ḇeṯ — burning, inflammation, or fiery afflictionH6867 — Full Word Study → fireכְּאֵ֣שׁkə·’êš — Fire; flame; burningH784 — Full Word Study →. 28A perverseתַּ֭הְפֻּכוֹתtah·pu·ḵō·wṯ — Perversity, frowardness, twisted rebellionH8419 — Full Word Study → manאִ֣ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → spreadsיְשַׁלַּ֣חyə·šal·laḥ — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → dissensionמָד֑וֹןmā·ḏō·wn — Strife, quarreling, contentionH4066 — Full Word Study →, and a gossipוְ֝נִרְגָּ֗ןwə·nir·gå̄n — to grumble, murmur, complainH7279 — Full Word Study → dividesמַפְרִ֥ידmap̄·rîḏ — to separate, divide, or disperseH6504 — Full Word Study → close friendsאַלּֽוּף׃’al·lūp̄ — Chief, friend, or tame animalH441 — Full Word Study →. 29A violentחָ֭מָסḥā·mās — Violence, cruelty, or wrongful harmH2555 — Full Word Study → manאִ֣ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → enticesיְפַתֶּ֣הyə·p̄at·teh — To open, enlarge, or deceive; to entice or seduceH6601 — Full Word Study → his neighborרֵעֵ֑הוּrê·‘ê·hū — neighbor, friend, companion, associateH7453 — Full Word Study → and leads himוְ֝הוֹלִיכ֗וֹwə·hō·w·lî·ḵōw — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → down a pathבְּדֶ֣רֶךְbə·ḏe·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → that is not goodטֽוֹב׃ṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study →. 30He who winksעֹצֶ֣ה‘ō·ṣeh — to shut, close, or stop upH6095 — Full Word Study → his eyeעֵ֭ינָיו‘ê·nāw — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → devisesלַחְשֹׁ֣בlaḥ·šōḇ — to think, devise, plan, or reckonH2803 — Full Word Study → perversityתַּהְפֻּכ֑וֹתtah·pu·ḵō·wṯ — Perversity, frowardness, twisted rebellionH8419 — Full Word Study →; he who pursesקֹרֵ֥ץqō·rêṣ — to wink, blink, or make a sign with the eyeH7169 — Full Word Study → his lipsשְׂ֝פָתָ֗יוśə·p̲ā·t̲āyw — Lips; edge, border, or shoreH8193 — Full Word Study → is bent onכִּלָּ֥הkil·lāh — to finish, complete, or bring to an endH3615 — Full Word Study → evilרָעָֽה׃rā·‘āh — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →. 31Gray hairשֵׂיבָ֑הśê·ḇāh — Gray hair; old age; hoariness of headH7872 — Full Word Study → is a crown of gloryתִּפְאֶ֣רֶתtip̄·’e·reṯ — Beauty, glory, splendor, or magnificenceH8597 — Full Word Study →; it is attainedתִּמָּצֵֽא׃tim·mā·ṣê — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → along the pathבְּדֶ֥רֶךְbə·ḏe·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → of righteousnessצְ֝דָקָ֗הṣə·ḏā·qāh — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study →. 32He who is slow to angerאַ֭פַּיִם’ap·pa·yim — Anger, wrath, face, or noseH639 — Full Word Study → is better than a warriorמִגִּבּ֑וֹרmig·gib·bō·wr — mighty man, warrior, strong heroH1368 — Full Word Study →, and he who controlsוּמֹשֵׁ֥לū·mō·šêl — To rule, reign, or exercise dominionH4910 — Full Word Study → his temper is greater than one who capturesמִלֹּכֵ֥דmil·lō·ḵêḏ — To capture, seize, or take hold ofH3920 — Full Word Study → a cityעִֽיר׃‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →. 33The lotהַגּוֹרָ֑לhag·gō·w·rāl — lot, portion, inheritance, destinyH1486 — Full Word Study → is castיוּטַ֣לyū·ṭal — to throw, cast, or hurl awayH2904 — Full Word Study → into the lapבַּ֭חֵיקba·ḥêq — Bosom; lap; embrace; inner chamberH2436 — Full Word Study →, but its everyכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → decisionמִשְׁפָּטֽוֹ׃miš·pā·ṭōw — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study → is from the LORDוּ֝מֵיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Proverbs 16
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Proverbs 16 presents a profound meditation on divine sovereignty and human responsibility, showing how God governs all things while calling us to walk in wisdom, humility, and righteousness. The chapter contrasts the way of the wise—marked by fear of the Lord, integrity, and self-control—with the way of the foolish, who trust in their own judgment and fall into pride and destruction. Throughout these thirty-three verses, Solomon teaches that true success comes not from wealth or status, but from aligning our hearts with God's purposes and stewarding our words, choices, and character with care.

Verses 1–5: God's Authority Over Heart and Tongue

The chapter opens with a fundamental truth: our deepest intentions and our spoken words ultimately come from the Lord (v. 1). While we may believe our own ways are right, God alone weighs the true motives of our hearts (v. 2). This calls us to humble self-examination. Verse 3 gives the remedy: when we commit our works to the Lord, He establishes our thoughts and gives us clarity of purpose. Verses 4–5 warn that God's sovereignty extends even to judgment—He made all things for His purposes, including the day when the wicked face consequences. Pride is particularly abhorrent to God (v. 5); no alliance or self-justification can shield the proud from accountability.

Application: Before we speak or act with confidence in our own wisdom, we should pause and ask the Lord to search our hearts. Are we trusting in our own judgment, or submitting our plans to Him?

Verses 6–12: Righteousness as Foundation for Life and Leadership

True cleansing from sin comes through mercy and truth, combined with genuine fear of the Lord (v. 6). When our ways genuinely please Him, He brings peace even among our enemies (v. 7)—a striking promise. A small portion gained righteously surpasses great wealth obtained wrongly (v. 8). This section then turns to leadership: kings and rulers have a sacred trust. Verses 10–12 emphasize that honest weights and righteous judgment reflect God's character and establish a throne securely. Wickedness in leadership is an abomination; righteousness alone sustains authority.

Application: Whether in family, workplace, or community, leaders must understand that integrity builds lasting influence far more than dishonest gain.

Verses 13–16: The Value of Wisdom and Right Speech

Kings delight in those who speak truth and righteousness (v. 13). The king's favor can mean life itself, yet a wise person learns to manage even royal anger through discretion (v. 14–15). But the chapter pivots to a higher priority: wisdom and understanding are more precious than gold or silver (v. 16). This is not worldly success but the knowledge of God and His ways.

Application: In our pursuit of success, we must never sacrifice integrity or the pursuit of God's wisdom for financial gain.

Verses 17–24: The Path of the Upright and the Power of Words

The upright keep themselves from evil and preserve their souls (v. 17). Then comes one of Scripture's most famous warnings: pride precedes destruction; a haughty spirit precedes a fall (v. 18). It is better to be humble with the lowly than to share spoils with the proud (v. 19). The wise person handles matters skillfully and trusts the Lord, finding happiness (v. 20). Wisdom overflows from the wise heart into gracious speech (vv. 21–23), and pleasant words bring healing to the soul and body (v. 24).

Application: Our words have power to build up or tear down. Investing in wisdom means learning to speak truth with grace.

Verses 25–33: Folly, Destruction, and Divine Sovereignty

Verses 25–30 expose the danger of trusting our own judgment and the destructive power of an ungodly heart. Age combined with righteousness brings honor (v. 31). Self-control—being slow to anger and ruling one's spirit—marks true greatness (v. 32). Finally, verse 33 returns to sovereignty: though we cast lots, the Lord determines the outcome.

Application for Today

Proverbs 16 calls us to surrender our self-reliance and align ourselves with God's purposes. Whether through careful speech, humble submission, integrity in dealings, or wise choices, we show reverence for the Lord. The chapter promises that this path—though it may seem slower than the world's shortcuts—leads to true life, peace, and blessing. As you face decisions today, ask God to search your heart, humble your pride, and direct your steps toward righteousness.

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