Chapter 16
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1The 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.
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
Overview
This chapter emphasizes God's sovereign control over all human affairs. Man proposes, but the Lord disposes — the preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. Solomon declares that pride goes before destruction, that the Lord weighs the spirits, and that the grey head is a crown of glory found in the way of righteousness. The chapter balances human responsibility with divine sovereignty throughout.
Key Themes
Divine Sovereignty Over Human Plans
The preparations of the heart are man's, but the answer of the tongue and the directing of steps belong to the Lord — God is sovereign over every outcome.
Pride Before Destruction
Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall — this is one of the most famous and most violated principles in all of Scripture.
The Lord Weighs the Heart
Every way of a man is clean in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits — God sees past self-justification to the true motives of the heart.
Study Questions
How do verses 1-3 and verse 9 balance human planning and initiative with God's sovereign direction?
What does 'pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall' (v. 18) look like in practice? Can you identify this pattern in biblical or personal examples?
Why does Solomon say 'commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established' (v. 3)? How does surrendering our work to God stabilize our thinking?
What does it mean that 'the lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD' (v. 33)?
How does verse 32 — 'he that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city' — redefine true strength?
Connection to Christ
Jesus is the one who perfectly committed His works to the Father and was exalted because He humbled Himself. Where pride leads to destruction, Christ's humility led to the highest exaltation (Philippians 2:8-9). He ruled His spirit perfectly — even unto death on a cross — demonstrating the mightiest strength through meekness and submission to the Father's sovereign will.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Proverbs 16. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?