Old Testament Commentary - Proverbs 16

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 16 It is better to get wisdom than gold—Pride goeth before destruction—The hoary head of the righteous is a crown of glory.
1 THE ^apreparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the ^btongue, is from the LORD. 2 All the ways of a man are ^aclean in his ^bown eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits^a. 3 ^aCommit thy works unto the LORD, and thy ^bthoughts shall be established.	2^a the LORD weigheth the spirits Beyond the actions of a person stands their motives, desires and intents as well. Thus the LORD not only reviews a person's outward behavior, for the motives that produce such are not always consistent. Thus the LORD further judges based upon the spirit and what is in a person's heart and the real intent of the person as well. And there, with the LORD, is where Love of God may actually cover even a multitude of 'sins' or inconsistent actions on the one hand and on the other may reveal a deceitful nature.	1^a Alma 16:16-17; Alma 32:6 ^b D&C 100:5-8 2^a Prov. 30:12 ^b Judg. 17:6; Prov. 21:2 3^a Ps. 55:22; Matt. 6:25; Philip. 4:6 ^b TG Motivations
4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. 5 Every one that is ^aproud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. 6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the ^afear of the LORD men ^bdepart from ^cevil.		5^a D&C 42:40 6^a Ex. 1:17 (16-17); Job 1:1 ^b 3 Ne. 20:26 ^c D&C 136:21
7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his ^aenemies to be at ^bpeace with him. 8 ^aBetter is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. 9 A man's heart ^adeviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.		7^a Ex. 34:24 ^b Dan. 1:9; TG Peace; TG Peace of God 8^a Alma 32:12-13 9^a Ether 2:16-25
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. 11 A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work. 12 It is an abomination to kings to commit ^awickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.		12^a Mosiah 23:9 (8-10); Mosiah 29:17-19
13 ^aRighteous ^blips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. 14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. 15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.		13^a TG Honesty ^b TG Communication
16 How much better is it to get ^awisdom than gold! and to get ^bunderstanding rather to be chosen than silver! 17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. 18 ^aPride goeth before destruction, and an ^bhaughty spirit before a fall.		16^a TG Objectives ^b TG Understanding 18^a TG Pride ^b TG Haughtiness
19 Better it is to be of an ^ahumble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20 He that ^ahandleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso ^btrusteth in the LORD, ^chappy is he. 21 The wise in heart shall be called ^aprudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.		19^a TG Contrite Heart; TG Poor in Spirit 20^a D&C 58:27-28 ^b TG Trust in God ^c TG Happiness 21^a TG Prudence
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. 23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a ^away that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. 27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning ^afire.		25^a 2 Ne. 28:7-9; Alma 30:17-18 27^a James 3:6 (1-13)
28 A froward man soweth ^astrife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. 29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. 30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.		28^a TG Strife
31 ^aThe hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. 32 He that is slow to ^aanger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. 33 The ^alot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.		31^a IE The gray hair of old age; Prov. 20:29 32^a TG Anger 33^a Prov. 18:18; 1 Ne. 3:11; D&C 102:34