161 To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
2 All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.
3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
4 The Lord works out everything to its proper end- even the wicked for a day of disaster.
5 The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.
7 When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone's way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
8 Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
161 The preparations
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.
3 Commit
4 The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
161 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.
3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
161 Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.
2 Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good.
3 Put God in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place.
4 God made everything with a place and purpose; even the wicked are included - but for judgment.
5 God can't stomach arrogance or pretense; believe me, he'll put those upstarts in their place.
6 Guilt is banished through love and truth; Fear-of-God deflects evil.
7 When God approves of your life, even your enemies will end up shaking your hand.
8 Far better to be right and poor than to be wrong and rich.
9 We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it. It Pays to Take Life Seriously
161 The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits.
3 Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.
4 The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.
5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.
6 In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice.
9 A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
161 We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.
2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.
3 Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.
4 The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.
5 The Lord detests the proud; they will surely be punished.
6 Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.
7 When people's lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them.
8 Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest.
9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 16:1-9
Commentary on Proverbs 16:1
(Read Proverbs 16:1)
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.
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.