Proverbs 16:1-33 (NIV)
Proverbs 16
1 To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.
2 All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
4 The LORD works out everything for his own ends— 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 a man avoids evil.
7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.
8 Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth should not betray justice.
11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making.
12 Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth.
14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it.
15 When a king's face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction. a]">[a]
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools.
23 A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. b]">[b]
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
26 The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on.
27 A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
30 He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.
32 Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
- Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a man persuasive
- Proverbs 16:23 Or mouth / and makes his lips persuasive
3 examples of being clean in own eyes:
1. Jehu (2 Kings 10:16, 31)
2. Pharisee (Luke 18:11-14)
3. Paul (Acts 26:9)
5 examples of plans being established:
1. Jacob (Genesis 32:24-30; 46:1-6)
2. David (1 Samuel 17:45; 30:8-19)
3. Ezra (8:21-32)
4. Esther (Esther 4::14-17; 8:15-17)
5. Daniel (Daniel 6:10)
8 examples of being directed by God:
1. Joseph's brethren (Genesis 37:18-28; 45:5)
2. Paraoh's daughter (Exodus 2:5)
3. Saul (1 Samuel 9:3-16; 23:26-28)
4. Jesse (1 Samuel 16:8-11, 17:23, 53)
5. Syrians (2 Kings 5:2)
6. Zaccheus (Luke 19:1-10)
7. The Samaritan woman (John 4:7)
8. Saul (Acts 9:1-18)
15 facts about kings:
1. They are to rule in justice (Proverbs 16:10; 29:14; 31:5, 8,9)
2. To be righteous (Proverbs 16:12)
3. Stand for righteousness (Proverbs 16:12; 25:5)
4. Delight in truth (Proverbs 16:13)
5. Love the righteous (Proverbs 16:13; 20:26)
6. Have power of death (Proverbs 16:14)
7. Can be pacified (Proverbs 16:14)
8. Their favor is a blessing (Proverbs 16:15)
9. Must not be provoked (Proverbs 20:2)
10.Are to be feared by the wicked (Proverbs 20:8)
11.Are preserved by mercy and truth (Proverbs 20:28)
12.To be respected (Proverbs 24:21)
13.Are a stabilizing influence to a people (Proverbs 29:4)
14.Are to be virtuous and sober (Proverbs 31:1-4)
15.Are to obey the law (Proverbs 31:5)
7 examples of pride before destruction:
1. Asabel (2 Samuel 2:18-23)
2. Ben-hadad (1 Kings 20:3; 11, 32)
3. Babylon (Isaiah 47:10-11)
4. Azariah (Jeremiah 43:2-11)
5. Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:30-31)
6. Edom (Obadiah 3-4)
7. Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:21-23)
8 fundamental principles of life:
1. Handle matters wisely (Proverbs 16:20)
2. Trust in the Lord (Proverbs 16:20)
3. Be wise and prudent (Proverbs 16:21)
4. Increase knowledge (Proverbs 16:21)
5. Be sympathetic and understanding (Proverbs 16:22)
6. Reject folly and be open to instruction and education (Proverbs 16:22)
7. Speak always in wisdom (Proverbs 16:23)
8. Be pleasant and kind (Proverbs 16:24)
5 examples of wise hearts:
1. Eleazar (Genesis 24:34-49)
2. Jacob (Genesis 47:9)
3. Jesus Christ (Matthew 22:46; Luke 2:40-52)
4. Peter (Acts 3:12)
5. Paul (Acts 13:16-21; 14:17; 17:28; 24:25; 26:2-27; 1 Timothy 1:12-16)
6 common classes:
1. The laboring man (Proverbs 16:26)
2. The ungodly man (Proverbs 16:27)
3. The perverse man (Proverbs 16:28)
4. The whisperer (Proverbs 16:28)
5. The violent man (Proverbs 16:29)
6. The older man (Proverbs 16:31)
4 examples of sowing strife:
1. Princes of Ammon (2 Samuel 10:3)
2. Ziba (2 Samuel 16:3)
3. The Chaldeans (Daniel 3:18-13)
4. Herodias (Mark 6:19-20)
5 examples of righteous hoary heads:
1. Jacob (Genesis 47:9; 48:1)
2. Samuel (1 Samuel 12:2-4; 25:1)
3. Barzillai (2 Samuel 19:32-37)
4. Elisha (2 Kings 13:14)
5. Jehoida (2 Chronicles 24.15-16)
5 examples of slow to anger:
1. Isaac (Genesis 26:13-35)
2. Joseph (Genesis 37:23-36; 39:7-23)
3. Samson (Judges 16)
4. David (1 Samuel 17:22-51; 19:1-24:22)
5. Paul (2 Corinthians 6:4; Titus 1:7)
7 examples of being soon angry:
1. Cain (Genesis 4)
2. Esau (Genesis 27:41-46)
3. Simeon and Levi (Genesis 49:5-7)
4. Moses (Exodus 32:19)
5. Balaam (Numbers 22:22, 27)
6. Saul (1 Samuel 20:30, 34)
7. Jonah (Jonah 4)
