PROVERBS A CHAPTER A DAY

CHAPTER 16

COMMENTS ARE INTERLEAVED WITH THE TEXT

16 

A person is responsible to prepare his heart,

    but how the tongue speaks is from the Lord

THIS IS ONLY TRUE OF HONEST PEOPLE

2 

All a man’s ways are pure in his own view,

    but the Lord weighs the spirit.

OH DEAR YES

3 

If you entrust all you do to The Lord,

    your plans will achieve success.

AYE RIGHT

4 

The Lord made everything for its purpose,

    even the wicked for the day of disaster.

A NICE IDEA

5 

The Lord detests all those with proud hearts;

    be assured that they will not go unpunished.

6 

Grace and truth atone for iniquity,

    and people turn from evil through fear of The Lord

7 

When a man’s ways please the Lord,

    he makes even the man’s enemies be at peace with him.

NO. THINK OF JESUS.

8 

Better a little with righteousness

    than a huge income with injustice.

YES

9 

A person may plan his path,

    but the Lord directs his steps.

DO I BELIEVE THIS?

10 

Divine inspiration is on the lips of the king,

    so his mouth must be faithful when he judges.

YES, FOR ANY HEAD OF STATE

11 

The balance and scales of justice have their origin in the Lord;

    all the weights in the bag are his doing.

YES

12 

It is an abomination for a king to do evil,

    for the throne is made secure by righteousness.

STALIN??

13 

The king should delight in righteous lips,

    and he should love someone who speaks what is right.

YES

14 

The king’s anger is a herald of death,

    and one who is wise will appease it.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE ONE WHO SPEAKS WHAT IS RIGHT, AS ABOVE?

15 

When the king’s face brightens, it means life;

    his favor is like the clouds that bring spring rain.

16 

How much better than gold it is to gain wisdom!

    Yes, rather than money, choose to gain understanding.

17 

Avoiding evil is the highway of the upright;

    he who watches his step preserves his soul.

SEEMS A BIT NEGATIVE, AVOIDING EVIL RATHER THAN DOING GOOD BUT IT MAY BE SOUND

18 

Pride goes before destruction,

    and arrogance before failure.

YES

19 

Better to be humble among the poor

    than share the spoil with the proud.

YES

20 

He who has skill in a matter will succeed;

    he who trusts in the Lord will be happy.

WHAT IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THESE TWO CONDITIONS?

21 

A wise-hearted person is said to have discernment,

    and sweetness of speech adds to learning.

22 

Common sense is a fountain of life to one who has it,

    whereas fools are punished by their own folly.

YES

23 

The wise man’s heart teaches his mouth,

    and to his lips it adds learning.

THE HEART, AS THE CENTRE OF EXPERIENCE IS THE SOURCE OF WISDOM

24 

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,

    sweet to the taste and healing for the body.

25 

There can be a way which seems right to a person,

    but finally is a way of death.

A SAD TRUTH

26 

A working man’s appetite acts on his behalf,

    because his hunger presses him on.

A SAD TRUTH

27 

A worthless person digs up evil

    it is like scorching fire on his lips.

28 

A deceitful person stirs up strife,

    and a slanderer can separate even close friends.

29 

A violent man lures his neighbor astray

    and leads him into evil ways.

30 

One who winks knowingly is planning deceit;

    one who pinches his lips together has already done wrong.

YES, BUT THE ONES YOU CAN SPOT ARE THE EASY ONES TO DEAL WITH

31 

White hair is a crown of honor

    obtained by righteous living.

I’VE GOT SOME BUT I DIDN’T GET IT BY RIGHTEOUS LIVING

32 

He who controls his temper is better than a war hero,

    he who rules his spirit better than he who captures a city.

YES, YES

33 

One can cast lots into one’s lap,

    but the decision comes from the Lord.

I’LL THROW A DICE TO SEE IF THAT IS TRUE