Read & explore together
The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD
Proverbs 16 gathers wise sayings about plans, words, justice, pride and self-control. The chapter repeatedly places human choices under Yahweh’s rule, showing that wisdom is not only what people decide but how they live before him.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage is wisdom rather than narrative. It moves through short sayings in order: first about plans and motives, then righteousness and kingship, then the value of wisdom and speech, and finally warnings about harmful ways, anger and Yahweh’s decision over the lot.
Proverbs 16:1–33Main takeaway
This chapter teaches that wise living is humble, truthful and self-controlled under Yahweh’s searching rule.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Plans belong to people, but Yahweh rulesThe opening sayings hold two truths together. People plan and may think their way is clean, yet Yahweh gives the answer of the tongue, weighs motives and directs steps.
Explanation
The opening sayings hold two truths together. People plan and may think their way is clean, yet Yahweh gives the answer of the tongue, weighs motives and directs steps. The call to commit deeds to Yahweh fits this larger picture of his rule over outcomes.
02Righteousness matters more than pride or gainThe chapter warns that pride is hateful to Yahweh and will not escape punishment. By contrast, mercy, truth and the fear of Yahweh are linked with turning from evil.
Explanation
The chapter warns that pride is hateful to Yahweh and will not escape punishment. By contrast, mercy, truth and the fear of Yahweh are linked with turning from evil. It is better to have little with righteousness than large profit with injustice.
03Kings and words should reflect justiceThe sayings about kings stress righteous rule. A throne is established by righteousness, kings delight in truthful lips, and their wrath is dangerous.
Explanation
The sayings about kings stress righteous rule. A throne is established by righteousness, kings delight in truthful lips, and their wrath is dangerous. Honest scales also belong here, showing that public judgment and everyday dealing are both measured by what is right.
04Wisdom shows in speech, humility and self-controlWisdom and understanding are better than wealth. Wise hearts shape wise speech, and pleasant words are pictured as a honeycomb, sweet and healing.
Explanation
Wisdom and understanding are better than wealth. Wise hearts shape wise speech, and pleasant words are pictured as a honeycomb, sweet and healing. The chapter also warns that a way can seem right but end in death, and says ruling one’s spirit is better than military strength.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How do the first sayings connect human planning with Yahweh’s rule?
Notice what people do in planning and judging themselves, and what Yahweh does in weighing motives, answering and directing.
02What does this chapter say is better than success or wealth?
Look for the explicit comparisons that prefer righteousness, wisdom, understanding, lowliness and self-control.
03What kind of speech is praised, and what kind is warned against?
Compare truthful and pleasant words with speech that stirs strife, separates friends or burns like fire.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Proverbs 16:1–33
1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.
2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the motives.
3Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.
4Yahweh has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh; they shall certainly not be unpunished.
6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.
7When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
9A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.
10Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
11Honest balances and scales are Yahweh’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.
12It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
13Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
14The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
20He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
26The appetite of the laboring man labors for him, for his mouth urges him on.
27A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
28A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
29A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
30One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
31Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
32One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.