God's Sovereignty Over Human Plans
Study note
These proverbs teach that even though people make their own plans, God is the one who ultimately directs the outcome. People may think their ways are pure, but God examines the heart and motives. When you commit your work to the Lord, your plans will succeed. Verse 9 captures this perfectly: a person plans their path, but the Lord directs their steps.
1 You can lay out your plans all day long, but ultimately the Lord is the one who shapes the words you end up saying. The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
2 Everyone thinks their own behavior is just fine. But the Lord looks at what is truly driving your heart. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
3 Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts shall be established. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4 The Lord has designed everything with a purpose in mind, even the wicked for a day of judgment. The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Everyone with an arrogant heart is someone the Lord despises. Make no mistake: they will not escape the consequences. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6 Loyal love and faithfulness are what cover over sin. Honoring the Lord is what pulls people away from evil. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7 When the way you live makes the Lord happy, he can even turn your enemies into people who are at peace with you. When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Having a little bit earned through doing right is far better than making a fortune through cheating. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9 A man's heart plans his way: but the Lord directs his steps. A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
Kings, Justice, and Honesty
Study note
These proverbs deal with how kings and leaders should govern. A good king speaks with wisdom, uses honest scales, and hates wickedness. His favor is like life-giving rain. In the ancient world, the king's word was law, so a wise king who loved justice was essential for a stable society.
10 When a king speaks, there is God-given authority behind his words. His mouth must never twist what is fair. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11 Every honest scale and balanced weight ultimately belongs to the Lord. He is the one behind every fair standard of measurement. A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
12 Kings should hate wickedness deeply. A strong and lasting rule is built on doing what is right. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Rulers appreciate people who speak the truth. They value anyone who gives them an honest answer. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
14 When a king gets angry, it could mean death for someone. Therefore a wise person knows how to calm him down. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
15 A king's smile means life. His approval is as welcome as rain clouds showing up in the spring. In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
Wisdom Is Better Than Gold
Study note
Several proverbs here declare that wisdom and understanding are far more valuable than gold and silver. The famous verse 18, 'Pride goes before destruction,' warns that arrogance always leads to a fall. Pleasant words are compared to a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and healing to the body.
16 Gaining wisdom is so much more valuable than piling up gold! Choosing understanding beats stockpiling silver every time. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17 The freeway that upright people travel is built to steer around evil. Paying attention to where you are going protects your life. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18 Arrogance leads straight into ruin, and a puffed-up attitude comes right before a hard fall. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Being humble and living with the poor is much better than sharing stolen goods with proud people. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Anyone who thinks things through carefully will find success. Anyone who puts their trust in the Lord is truly happy. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
21 People spot a wise person by their insight. Kind words make their teaching even more convincing. The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Understanding is like a cool, fresh spring for the person who has it. But trying to teach fools is a waste of time. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 A wise person's mind guides their mouth, so that what they say is both insightful and persuasive. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24 Kind, encouraging words are like honey: they taste good to the soul and bring strength to the body. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Troublemakers and Self-Control
Study note
The chapter ends with warnings about troublemakers who dig up evil and spread conflict, and with a powerful statement about self-control: it is better to be patient than to be a mighty warrior, and better to control your temper than to capture a city. The final verse teaches that even casting lots (like rolling dice) is ultimately under God's control.
25 A road can look totally right to someone walking on it, but the final destination turns out to be death. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26 Hunger is a powerful motivator. Your empty stomach is what pushes you to keep working. He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
27 A person with zero character goes digging for ways to cause trouble, and their words scorch like a brushfire. An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28 A person with a twisted mind stirs up fights everywhere. Someone who whispers gossip can split apart even the best of friends. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29 A person who enjoys violence tries to recruit their neighbor and leads them straight down a destructive road. A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30 Watch out for someone who winks or presses their lips together in a sneaky way. They are planning something wicked. He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31 White hair is like a badge of honor. You earn it by living a good life. The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
32 Being patient matters more than being a powerful warrior. Controlling your temper is a bigger win than taking over a whole city. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33 People may roll dice to make their choices. But every result is controlled by the Lord. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.