Prov 16.1-33 teaches that everything has a place and a purpose.
v 1…The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yehovah (has the last word about those plans).
2…All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but Yehovah weighs (probes) the motives (the spirits, the intentions, the desires).
v 3…Commit your works to Yehovah (put God in charge), and your plans will be established (will take place, work out).
v 4…Yehovah has made everything for his own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil (the Day of the Lord for judgment-Rom 9.22).
v 5…Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yehovah (he can’t stand arrogance), assuredly, he will not go unpunished.
v 6…By lovingkindness (mercy) and truth (as found in the Torah) iniquity is atoned for (purged); and by the fear (reverence) of God one keeps away from evil.
v 7…When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord (a person keeping the Torah by faith), he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him (they lose their hostility towards you).
v 8…Better is a little with righteousness (not much in material wealth but righteous by faith) than great income with injustice (gained by deceit and robbery).
v 9…A man’s heart plans his way (reflecting and considering his conduct, and this is a good thing), but Yehovah directs his steps (the end result will be what Yehovah has designed-1 Chr 19.10-13).
v 10…A divine decision is in the lips of the king (he represents Yehovah and had the Urim v’ Tummim, the Torah and the prophets to consult); his mouth should not err (transgress what God has shown him) in judgment.
v 11…A just balance and scales belong to Yehovah (literally the scales and balance of justice), all the weights of the bag are his concern (the stones used as weights by the businessman were to be honest).
v 12…It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness (which is the setting aside of justice and to disregard the Torah. This would cause the people to despise their kings), for a throne is established on righteousness (as defined by the Torah. Such a king will be blessed).
v 13…Righteous lips (of the counselors around him) are the delight of kings, and he who speaks right is loved (even if the king doesn’t want to hear it, he will respect that counselor).
v 14…The wrath of a king is as messengers of death (he has many ways to carry out a sentence of death), but a wise man will appease it (calm the king’s wrath with reason).
v 15…In the light of a king’s face is life (his approval means success), and his favor is like a cloud with spring rain (latter rains that are welcomed and indicated a good harvest).
v 16…How much better it is to get wisdom (“chachmah” or knowing what to do when you have an understanding of the facts) than gold (it has eternal value and is useful in the life of a believer), and to get understanding (“binah” or comprehension of the difference between good and evil) is to be chosen above silver.
v 17… The highway (the path of life, or the Torah) of the upright is to depart from evil (the Torah tells us what sin is-Rom 3.20; he who watches his way preserves his soul (nefesh).
v 18…Pride goes before destruction (because God is opposed to the proud), and a haughty spirit before a fall (the signal that they are going to fall).
v 19…It is better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly (to be with people who are content with life), than to divide the spoil (of their thefts) with the proud (who God is against and are going to fail-Jam 4.6).
v 20… He who gives attention to the word (Torah) will find good (Rom 7.11-12-it tries to help), and blessed (empowered to succeed) is he who trusts Yehovah.
v 21…The wise heart will be called discerning (insightful, perceptive), and sweetness of speech (lips) increases persuasiveness (learning).
v 22…Understanding (comprehension of the facts) is a fountain of life (the source) to him who has it, but the discipline (instruction) of fools (those who contend, brag and take pleasure bringing grief) is folly (a waste of time).
v 23…The heart of the wise (chacham) teaches his mouth (what to say), and adds persuasiveness (learning) to his lips.
v 24…Pleasant words are a honey comb (flowing with honey) sweet to the soul, and healing to the bones (wholesome).
v 25…There is a way which seems right to a man (sin always looks correct and they wonder why others don’t follow), but its end is the way of death (the Second Death-but it does not always look that way at the beginning-Matt 7.14-15).
v 26…A worker’s appetite works for him (labors for himself to fill a need), for his hunger urges him on (starvation is a good motivator).
v 27…A worthless man (“Ish Belial” or one who is without the yoke of the Torah; lawless) digs up evil (sins out of his own heart), while his lips are as a scorching fire (with lies, distortions, gossip and hate).
v 28…A perverse man spreads strife (contrary to reason and anyone with principles), and a slanderer separates intimate friends (they sow gossip that can separate friends).
v 29…A man of violence (“hamas”) entices (lures) his neighbor (to join him in his violence or to respond to violence), and leads him in a way that is not good (that leads to ruin).
v 30…He who winks his eyes (mannerism of a schemer) does so to devise perverse things (meditate on how to do harm); he who compresses his lips brings evil to pass (showing his determined purpose).
v 31…A gray head (silver hair) is a crown of glory (like a shining diadem of honor and value), it is found in the way of righteousness (its not age alone that brings the crown of glory, it is age walking in the Torah).
v 32…He who is slow to anger (controls himself) is better than the mighty (great kings who conquered kingdoms were slaves to their anger), and he who rules his spirit than he who captures a city (to Yehovah, to rule your spirit is a greater work than to capture a city).
v 33…The lot is cast into the lap (bosom), but its very decision is from Yehovah (the result is governed and ordered by him).
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