1
A man may plan his way in his heart,
but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2
All a person’s ways are pure in his own sight,
but the LORD weighs the heart.
3
Commit your works 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 proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
truly, he will not go unpunished.
6
By love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.
7
When the LORD is pleased with a person’s ways,
he makes even that person’s enemies to be at peace with him.
8
Better is a little with righteousness
than great income without justice.
9
The heart of man plans his way,
but the LORD directs his steps.
10
An oracle is on the lips of a king;
when he judges, his mouth does not err.
11
Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
12
Doing wickedness is an abomination to kings,
for a throne is established by righteousness.
13
Righteous lips are pleasing to a king,
and he loves one who speaks what is right.
14
The king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
but a wise man turns it away.
15
In the light of the king’s face there is life,
and his favor is like the cloud of spring rain.
16
To get wisdom is far better than gold,
and to gain understanding is more to be chosen than silver.
17
The path of the upright is to turn away from evil;
whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18
Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19
Better to be lowly in spirit with the humble
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20
Whoever gives heed to the word will find good,
and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.
21
The wise in heart are called discerning,
and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
22
Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it,
but the discipline of fools is their folly.
23
The heart of the wise makes his mouth prudent,
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25
There is a way that seems right to a person,
but its end is the way of death.
26
A worker’s appetite labors for him,
for his mouth urges him on.
27
A worthless man digs up evil,
and on his lips there is as it were a scorching fire.
28
A deceitful person stirs up strife,
and a slanderer separates close friends.
29
A violent person entices his neighbor,
and leads him in a way that is not good.
30
Whoever shuts his eyes is planning deceit;
whoever presses his lips together has already done evil.
31
Gray hair is a beautiful crown,
which is gained in the way of righteousness.
32
One who is patient is better than a warrior,
and one who rules his spirit, than one who takes a city.
33
The lot is cast into the lap,
but every decision of it is from the LORD.
🧭🗣️⚖️ Summary of Proverbs 16 – Entrusting Plans to God and a Heart Led by Wisdom
Proverbs 16 teaches that although humans make plans, it is the LORD who directs their steps. The key to wise living is entrusting decisions to the LORD, keeping a humble heart and a wise mouth, and turning away from pride and lust. The LORD leads the life of the righteous with righteousness, justice, and peace.
📌 1. The LORD Weighs the Heart (verses 1–3, 9)
“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.”
- People may make plans
- But the LORD sees the motives of the heart
- Commit your plans to Him → the LORD will establish your steps
🎯 Not merely good intentions, but a heart aligned with God.
📌 2. The LORD Hates Pride (verses 5, 18–19)
“Pride goes before destruction…”
- A proud person = an abomination to the LORD
- Better to be humble among the lowly
- Pride → certain fall
🎯 A haughty heart separates us from grace.
📌 3. The King, Justice, and Government (verses 10–15)
“The lips of a king are like an oracle of God…”
- Rulers should:
– Speak with justice
– Hate evil
– Give safety and blessing to the people
🎯 A wise leader = a channel of the Lord’s authority and love.
📌 4. The Way of Life of the Wise (verses 6–8, 17, 20)
“By love and faithfulness wrongdoing is forgiven…”
- Fear of the Lord → turns one away from evil
- Better a little with righteousness
- Carefulness in the path of life = a sign of the wise
- Trust in the Lord = to receive happiness
🎯 A righteous life = peaceful, safe, blessed.
📌 5. The Wise Tongue and Heart (verses 21–24, 27–30)
“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb…”
- The wise person:
– Gives refreshing counsel
– Controls his tongue - The wicked person:
– Incites, misleads, and stirs up with words
🎯 Words are a powerful instrument of influence — to build up or to destroy.
📌 6. A Controlled Spirit and a Blessed Life (verses 32–33)
“One who is patient is better than a warrior…”
- Self-control is more valuable than military victory
- The lot may be cast, but the final decision is from the Lord
🎯 True victory is to overcome oneself and submit to the Lord.
📖 Main Teaching
- A good plan succeeds only if it is in harmony with God’s will
- Pride and evil = the beginning of ruin
- Fear of the Lord produces a righteous and secure life
- The Lord is active in guiding, establishing, and judging our life’s path
- Words must be filtered by wisdom, not emotion
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that…”
→ Life plans must be submitted to the will of God.
“The fruit of the Spirit: love, joy… self-control.”
→ Controlling the spirit and the tongue = a sign of maturity.
“God opposes the proud, but shows mercy to the humble.”
→ Humility opens the door to grace.
“Every idle word will be judged…”
→ Our tongue is a reflection of the heart before God.
🎯 Proverbs 16 invites us to live with humility, wisdom, and total dependence on the Lord.
🕊️ “Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3
🕊️ “Pride goes before destruction…” – Proverbs 16:18
🕊️ “Better a patient person than a warrior…” – Proverbs 16:32
🕊️ “There is a way that seems right, but its end leads to death.” – Proverbs 16:25
