FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Proverbs 16:25
KJVThere is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Read it in context
The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD
Start reading at Proverbs 16:1 (Proverbs 16:1 to Proverbs 16:33).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
- 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
- 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
- 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
- 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
- 16:5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
- 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
- 16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
- 16:8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
- 16:9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
- 16:10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
- 16:11 A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
- 16:12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
- 16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
- 16:14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
- 16:15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
- 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
- 16:17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
- 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
- 16:19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
- 16:20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
- 16:21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
- 16:22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
- 16:23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
- 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
- 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
- 16:26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
- 16:27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
- 16:28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
- 16:29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
- 16:30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
- 16:31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
- 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
- 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Solomon is the principal named contributor, with additional sayings of the wise, Agur, and King Lemuel's mother's instruction. Hezekiah's men are credited with copying a collection of Solomon's proverbs. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 25:1; Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Proverbs 10:1–21:31): The sayings instruct learners in Israel's wisdom tradition. The righteous, wicked, wise, foolish, rulers, and household members are examples or subjects of the sayings, not necessarily the immediate people being addressed. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Learners seeking wisdom, especially the young and inexperienced, as well as wise readers seeking further understanding. The repeated son-address presents parental or teacherly instruction. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 1:8. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD. Read Proverbs 16:1 through Proverbs 16:33 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book identifies more than one collection, including proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men. It does not give a date for the origin of every individual saying. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The instruction draws on household, workplace, city gate, court, and other everyday settings. Many sayings describe a general situation rather than one dated incident. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD (Proverbs 16:1 to Proverbs 16:33). Start reading at Proverbs 16:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament identifies Christ with the wisdom of God. Relating wisdom instruction to Him is a canonical connection; the personification of wisdom should not automatically be treated as a literal description of Christ's origin. See Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Practice truthful speech, teachability, justice, diligence, and self-control. Read proverbial generalizations with their genre in view rather than as guarantees that ignore circumstance or the book's other sayings. interpretation
Cited: Proverbs 16:1, Proverbs 16:33, Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30
Who wrote it, and how we know
Solomon, with Agur and Lemuel
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names Solomon, and also Agur and King Lemuel, and notes that Hezekiah's men copied out further proverbs.
Proverbs 1:1Proverbs 25:1Proverbs 30:1Proverbs 31:1
Early traditionTradition credits Solomon as the principal author.
What is debatedThe book itself describes later collecting, so it reached its final form after Solomon.
Related passages
- There is a way that seemeth right unto a … Prov 12:26 Prov 14:12 Isa 28:15-19 John 7:47-49 John 9:40 Acts 26:9 2 Cor 13:5
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs 16
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Instruction and wisdom's call
Proverbs 1:1–9:18FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeExtended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Words of the wise
Proverbs 22:17–24:34FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Further proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 25:1–29:27FocusCollected wisdom for life and rule
Connection to the wholeThe sayings identified with Hezekiah's copying activity extend the collection's instruction concerning conduct and leadership.
interpretation The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:1–33FocusHuman limits and ordered observations
Connection to the wholeAgur's words combine confession of limited understanding, prayer, and numerical sayings about the world and human conduct.
interpretation The words of Lemuel and the capable woman
Proverbs 31:1–31FocusJust rule and faithful work
Connection to the wholeThe final chapter joins instruction concerning rulers with an ordered portrait of a woman's capable and generous work.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.