The Heart & the Thoughts of Man |
Proverbs 16:1-33 Proverbs [in Smaller Chunks] |
[Preparing] the heart [within] man & the [answers] of the [mouth are] from the Lord. All the ways of a man are [right] in his own eyes, but the Lord [considers mans’ spirit.] |
[Luke 16:15 And [Jesus] said to them, You are [those who] justify yourselves before men: but God knows your hearts: for [what] is highly [respected] among men is [an] abomination in the sight of God.] Commit your [deeds] to the Lord & your thoughts shall be established. |
[1 Peter 5:6-7 Likewise, you younger [ones] submit yourselves to the elder [ones.] [Yes,] all of you [are to yield your control] one to another & be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud & gives grace to the humble. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, [so] that He may exalt you in due time.] |
The Lord has made all things for Himself: [yes] even the wicked for the day of evil. [Revelation 22:12-15 And, [watch,] I come quickly & My reward is with Me & shall be to give [to] every man according to his [deeds.] |
I am [the] Alpha & Omega, the Beginning & the End, the First & the Last. Blessed are [those who] do His commandments, [so] that they may have [the] right to the Tree of Life & may enter in through the gates into the city. For [outside] are dogs, sorcerers, [sexual traffickers,] murderers, idolaters & [whoever loves to make & tell] a lie.] |
Everyong [who has a] proud heart [& thinks he’s better than others] is an abomination to the Lord: [although he may] join hand & hand [with others,] he shall not [go] unpunished. |
Iniquity is [made free from sin] by mercy & truth & by the fear [respect] of the Lord, men depart from evil. When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even [the man’s] enemies at peace with him. |
Better is a little with righteousness, than great [wealth] without [justice.] A man’s heart [plans] his [path:] but the Lord directs his steps. [On] the lips of the king is a divine sentence: his mouth [doesn’t sin against fair] judgment. |
A [correct & precise] weight & balance are the Lord’s: all the weights of the bag are His work. [Leviticus 19:36 You shall have just balances & just weights, a just ephah & a just hin, [a.k.a. units of weight.] I am the Lord your God, [Who] brought you out of the land of Egypt.] |
To commit wickedness is an abomination to kings: [because] the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the [king’s] delight & they love [those who speak what is] right. |
The [anger] of the king is [like] messengers of death: but a wise man will [calm] it. In the light of the king’s [face] is life & his [approval] is ]lke seeing] a rain cloud [in spring.] |
It’s much better to get wisdom than gold! And [getting] understanding [is] to be chosen rather than silver! To depart from evil is the highway of the [righteous:] he [who] keeps [the Lord God’s] way [saves] his soul. |
Pride goes before destruction & an [arrogant] spirit before a fall. [It’s] better to [have] a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the [plunder] with the proud. Good shall [be found by those who] handle a matter wisely & [whoever] trusts in the Lord is happy. [Those with a] wise heart shall be called: [discreet] & learning increases [by] the sweetness of the lips, [a.k.a. speaking kindly.] |
[Those who] have understanding is a well-spring of life: but the instruction of fools [shows a lack of good judgment.] [John 4:13-14 Jesus answered & said to her, [Whoever] drinks of this water shall thirst again: but [whoever] drinks of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be [within] him a well of water, springing up into Everlasting Life.] |
The heart of the wise teaches his mouth [what to say] & adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are [like a] honeycomb, sweet to the soul & health to the bones. |
There is a [path] that seems right to a man: but [its] end, are the [paths that lead to] death. He [who] labors [works] for himself; for his mouth craves it of him. [Ecclesiastes 6:7 All the labor of man is for his mouth & yet the appetite is not filled.] |
An ungodly man [digs] up evil & in his [mouth] is a burning fire. A [deceitful] man [plants discord] & a [gossip] separates [best] friends. A violent man entices his neighbor & leads him into a [path] that isn’t good. |
[Winking] his [eye] to [plot deceitful] things & moving his lips, he brings evil [to take place.] The [silver] head is a crown of glory, if [its] found [on someone] in the [path] of righteousness. |
He [who] is slow to anger is better than the mighty & he [who controls] his spirit [is better] than he [who captures] a city. The [impartial] lot is [thrown] into the lap: but the whole [decision] is [from] the Lord. |