2 All a man's ways are clean to himself; but the Lord puts men's spirits into his scales.
3 Put your works into the hands of the Lord, and your purposes will be made certain.
4 The Lord has made everything for his purpose, even the sinner for the day of evil.
5 Everyone who has pride in his heart is disgusting to the Lord: he will certainly not go free from punishment.
6 By mercy and good faith evil-doing is taken away: and by the fear of the Lord men are turned away from evil.
7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his haters be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great wealth with wrongdoing.
9 A man may make designs for his way, but the Lord is the guide of his steps.
10 Decision is in the lips of the king: his mouth will not go wrong in judging.
11 True measures and scales are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
12 Evil-doing is disgusting to kings: for the seat of the ruler is based on righteousness.
13 Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings; and he who says what is upright is dear to him.
14 The wrath of the king is like those who give news of death, but a wise man will put peace in place of it. 15 In the light of the king's face there is life; and his approval is like a cloud of spring rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get knowledge is more to be desired than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to be turned away from evil: he who takes care of his way will keep his soul.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a stiff spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to have a gentle spirit with the poor, than to take part in the rewards of war with men of pride.
20 He who gives attention to the law of right will get good; and whoever puts his faith in the Lord is happy.
21 The wise-hearted will be named men of good sense: and by pleasing words learning is increased.
22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it; but the punishment of the foolish is their foolish behaviour.
23 The heart of the wise man is the teacher of his mouth, and gives increased learning to his lips.
24 Pleasing words are like honey, sweet to the soul and new life to the bones.
25 There is a way which seems straight before a man, but its end is the 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.