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Summary

Proverbs 16:1–7 – God’s Rule Over Plans

What happens: Humans plan, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All a person’s ways seem pure, yet God weighs motives. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans are established. The Lord made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. When a person’s ways please the Lord, He makes even enemies be at peace.

What it means: God is sovereign and wise over human plans. Integrity matters because God tests the heart. Trust submits plans to God’s will. Peace is a gift God can grant even in hard relationships.


Proverbs 16:8–15 – Kings, Justice, and Honest Scales

What happens: Better little with righteousness than great gain with injustice. Honest balances belong to the Lord. Kings detest wickedness and establish thrones by righteousness. Wise counselors bring favor, and a king’s smile gives life.

What it means: God hates corrupt gain and loves fair dealings. Authority is accountable to His justice. Wise leadership reflects God’s character and blesses people. True stability rests on righteousness.


Proverbs 16:16–24 – Priceless Wisdom and Sweet Words

What happens: Wisdom is better than gold; understanding better than silver. The upright avoid evil and guard their way. Pride goes before destruction; a haughty spirit before a fall. Those who trust the Lord find blessing. Pleasant words are like honey, sweet and healing.

What it means: God’s wisdom outvalues wealth because it aligns with His design. Humility keeps us safe, while pride invites ruin. Faith anchors life in God’s goodness. Healing speech reflects His grace.


Proverbs 16:25–33 – Self-Deception, Self-Control, and God’s Decisions

What happens: A way can seem right and still end in death. Evil people stir up trouble. Gray hair is a crown of glory found in righteousness. Better to be slow to anger and rule your spirit than to take a city. The lot is cast, but every decision is from the Lord.

What it means: Human judgment is limited; God’s wisdom must guide. Mastery of self honors God and protects others. Age under righteousness is a gift from the Lord. God governs outcomes, so trust Him.


Application

  • Commit plans to the Lord and examine motives.
  • Choose humility over pride; pursue just practices.
  • Rule your spirit and use words that heal.

Bible

1The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

3Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

4The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

7When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

9A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

11A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work.

12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

15In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

26He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

31The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

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