All in a Name

Proverbs 16

Maxims of wisdom, relating to the providence of God; the power and duty of kings; the evil of pride, calumny (tale-bearing), discord (constant arguing), and violence; and the excellency of prudence, meekness, and integrity, 1-33. NTSK

Proverbs 16:1–5  NKJV  “ The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits. (later will say keeps fair weights in his bag) 3 Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. 4 The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom. does not mean predetermined to doom 5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.”

The name Yahweh (LORD) occurs nine times in the first eleven verses of chapter 16.

Some bible translators presented that the distinctive Hebrew name for God YodHeyVodHey (usually transliterated Jehovah or Yahweh) is in this translation represented by 'The Lord'." A footnote to Exodus 3:14 states: " ‘I am’ sounds like the Hebrew name Yahweh traditionally transliterated as Jehovah." Now, its not doctrinally required that we use this name, its a thought or reminder as to why we study why we think through these things.

Man may plan his thoughts in advance, but the LORD is sovereign and overrules all man’s words for the accomplishment of His purposes. “Man proposes but God disposes (arranges in particular).”

Balaam, for instance, wanted to curse the people of Israel, but the words came out as a blessing (Num. 22:38; 23:7–10).

Or think of Caiaphas, who spoke beyond his own wisdom (John 11:49–52). Herod and Pilate conspired to do to Jesus what God had already appointed to be done (Acts 4:27, 28).

It may also mean that though God’s persecuted people often plan in advance what to say at their trial, God gives the right words at the right time (Matt. 10:19).

Proverbs 16:6–11  NKJV  “ In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil. 7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8 Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice. 9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. 10 Divination is on the lips of the king; His mouth must not transgress in judgment. 11 Honest weights and scales are the Lord’s; All the weights in the bag are His work.”

Proverbs 16:12–15  NKJV  “ It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness. 13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right. 14 As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, But a wise man will appease it. 15 In the light of the king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.”

Proverbs 16:16–17  NKJV  “ How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. 17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul.”

Proverbs 16:18–21  NKJV  “ Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. 21 The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.”

Proverbs 16:22–24  NKJV  “ Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly. 23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips. 24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”

Proverbs 16:25–33  NKJV  “ There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 26 The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on. 27 An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire. 28 A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. 29 A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good. 30 He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil. 31 The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness. 32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. 33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.”

Proverbs 17:

Cautions against many vices; a quiet, friendly, and cheerful spirit inculcated; and several wise and pious observations concerning the conduct and events of life, 1-28. NTSK

Proverbs 17:1–9  NKJV  “ Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife. 2 A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers. 3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts. 4 An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue. 5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. 6 Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father. 7 Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince. 8 A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers. 9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.”

Proverbs 17:10–16  NKJV  “ Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool. 11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him. 12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly. 13 Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house. 14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. 15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord. 16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?”

Proverbs 17:17–28  NKJV  “ A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. 18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend. 19 He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction. 20 He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil. 21 He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy. 22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. Philippians 4:4  “ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

23 A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice. 24 Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. 25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him. 26 Also, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness. 27 He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. 28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.” HaHa!

Laughter makes the best medicine v22 . But its happy, merry, joyful. 2268 שָׂמַח (śāmaḥ), שָׂמֵַח (śāmēaḥ) rejoice.

Unless you had stomach surgery or other issues.

“Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.”

― Mark Twain (attributed to)

"Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience."

— Unknown