Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16:1

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

Let it be yielded, that a man hath power of his own thoughts, so as he can digest and prepare what he means to speak, and put all his words in due order; yet, when he shall come to utter them, God hath the disposing of his tongue; so as a man shall speak, not what himself hath contrived, but what God hath predetermined.

Proverbs 16:2

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

Every man is apt to think the best of his own actions, and to justify himself in his own courses; but the Lord judgeth and examineth the soul and spirit of man, and, according to the truth of his inward dispositions, so doth he pass sentence upon him and his ways.

Proverbs 16:4

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

The Lord hath, in all his works of creation and providence, had a just eye to his own glory; insomuch as the most wicked men, which might seem to be most exempted from the regard and preordination of God, yet are not out of the compass of his holy and just decree; in that, out of their evil he hath decreed to bring good, and to glorify himself in their just punishment.

Proverbs 16:6

By mercy and truth iniquity is purged.

It is not an outward sacrifice that God regards, in his remis-

Proverbs 16:10

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

As God raiseth princes above other men, so he enducth them with excellent graces, answerable to their high callings: he puts therefore divine sentences into their mouths, which meaner men could not have attained unto: and giveth their tongues, even in doubtful and hidden causes, to pass a wise and just judgment.

Proverbs 16:26

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

A man needs no other inducement to labour, but his own profit, yea his own necessity; for it is that, whereby he must sustain himself, and uphold nature, which craveth it of him.

Proverbs 16:27

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

An ungodly man, if he cannot find opportunities of doing mischief, will busily search for them; and, as his heart is ill employed, so his tongue is worse, for that is as a burning firebrand, to set all the world in combustion.

Proverbs 16:31

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

Old age, and the sign thereof, grey hairs, are a great ornament to a man, that lives justly and uprightly in the world.

Proverbs 16:33

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

The lots are thrown at random, and at peradventure; but there is an overruling hand of God, that disposeth of them, how they shall light; and hath certainly determined that, which carries a show of casualty.