“The plans of the heart belong to a person,
But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
All the ways of a person are clean in his own sight,
But the Lord examines the motives.
Commit your works to the Lord,
And your plans will be established.”

“The Lord has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked for the day of evil.
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
Be assured, he will not go unpunished.
By mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing,
And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.”

“When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,
He causes even his enemies to make peace with him.
Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income with injustice.”

“The mind of a person plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
A divine verdict is on the lips of the king;
His mouth should not err in judgment.
A just balance and scales belong to the Lord;
All the weights of the bag are His concern.”

“It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts,
For a throne is established on righteousness.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And one who speaks right is loved.”

“The fury of a king is like messengers of death,
But a wise person will appease it.
In the light of a king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.”

“How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil;
One who watches his way protects his life.”

“Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
It is better to be humble in spirit with the needy
Than to divide the spoils with the proud.”

“One who pays attention to the word will find good,
And blessed is one who trusts in the Lord.
The wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.”

“Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it,
But the discipline of fools is folly.
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.”

“Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
There is a way which seems right to a person,
But its end is the way of death.”

“A worker’s appetite works for him,
For his hunger urges him on.
A worthless person digs up evil,
While his words are like scorching fire.
A perverse person spreads strife,
And a slanderer separates close friends.”

“A person of violence entices his neighbor
And leads him in a way that is not good.
He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things;
He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.”

“A gray head is a crown of glory;
It is found in the way of righteousness.
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city.
The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.”

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Context and Meaning

Proverbs 16 brings wisdom under divine light.
It shows that the wisest life is not self-directed, but God-directed.

This chapter unfolds in three layers:

1. The Sovereignty of God: He orders outcomes and examines motives.
2. The Power of Humility: Pride leads to downfall; reverence leads to life.
3. The Beauty of Righteous Speech and Conduct: Wisdom governs words, work, and emotions.

It is a call to trust the unseen hand of God — to plan diligently but rest in His control.

Key Themes:

1. Divine Sovereignty: Every plan and outcome lies in God’s hands (v. 1–4, 9, 33).
2. True Motives: God tests the heart beneath the deed (v. 2).
3. The Fear of the Lord: Keeps us far from evil (v. 6).
4. Humility over Pride: Pride brings ruin; humility brings grace (v. 18–19).
5. Righteous Leadership: Kings and rulers must reflect divine justice (v. 10–13).
6. The Value of Wisdom and Words: Gentle, gracious speech brings healing and influence (v. 20–24).
7. Self-Control as Strength: The one who rules his spirit is greater than the one who conquers cities (v. 32).

Reflection and Impact

Proverbs 16 teaches that the wise trust God not only with outcomes, but with timing, correction, and even uncertainty.

• God directs the path – “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (v. 9) echoes Psalm 37:23: the steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord.
• Motives matter – “The Lord examines the heart” (v. 2) aligns with Hebrews 4:12: the Word discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
• Pride precedes ruin – “Pride goes before destruction” (v. 18) mirrors James 4:6: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
• Peace flows from trust – “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord” (v. 20) parallels Isaiah 26:3: You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You.
• Words can heal – “Pleasant words are a honeycomb” (v. 24) recalls Ephesians 4:29: speak only what is helpful for building others up.
• Self-control is greater than conquest – “Better to rule your spirit than capture a city” (v. 32) connects to Galatians 5:23: the fruit of the Spirit is self-control.
• Every outcome belongs to God – “The lot is cast… but its decision is from the Lord” (v. 33) reveals divine governance over every detail (Romans 8:28).

Application

• Surrender Your Plans: Pray before, during, and after you plan.
• Check Your Motives: Ask not just what you’re doing, but why.
• Stay Humble: Every blessing is borrowed grace.
• Speak Life: Let your words bring healing, not harm.
• Rule Your Spirit: Strength is seen in restraint, not dominance.
• Rest in God’s Control: Even the cast of the lot is in His hand.

Closing Thought

Wisdom doesn’t mean controlling outcomes — it means trusting the One who does.
Proverbs 16 is a hymn of surrender: our plans are clay, but God is the potter.
The wise make their plans on their knees and walk their steps in peace.

“Commit your works to the Lord,
And your plans will be established.”