Proverbs 16

Proverbs · Chapter 16

Proverbs 16:22

1The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.3Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.4The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.7When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.9A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.11A just weight and balance are the LORD’s: all the weights of the bag are his work.12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.15In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.26He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.31The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is their folly.

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Original Hebrew words

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
[is] a fountain ofמְק֣וֹרme-KORH4726
fountain

מָקוֹר (ma.qor) 1) spring, fountain 1a) spring 1a1) of source of life, joy, purification (fig.) 1b) of the eye (fig.) 1c) source (of menstruous blood) 1d) flow (of blood after child birth)

lifeחַ֭יִּיםCHAI-yimH2416E
life

חַיִּים (chay.yim) 1) life (abstract emphatic) 1a) life 1b) sustenance, maintenance

[the] prudence ofשֵׂ֣כֶלSE-khelH7922
understanding

שֵׂ֫כֶל (se.khel) 1) prudence, insight, understanding 1a) prudence, good sense 1b) insight, understanding 1c) cunning, craft (bad sense) Aramaic equivalent: sokh.le.ta.nu (שׇׂכְלְתָנוּ "insight" H7924)

owners itsבְּעָלָ֑יוbe-'a-LAVH1167J
master

בַּעַל (ba.al) : master/leader 1) owner, husband, lord 1a) owner 1b) a husband 1c) citizens, inhabitants 1d) rulers, lords 1e) (noun of relationship used to characterise-ie, master of dreams)

and [the] discipline ofוּמוּסַ֖רu-mu-SARH4148G
discipline

מוּסָר (mu.sar) : discipline/punishment 1) discipline, chastening, correction 1a) discipline, correction 1b) chastening

foolsאֱוִלִ֣ים'e-vi-LIMH0191
fool(ish)

אֱוִיל (e.vil) 1) be foolish, foolish 1a) (subst) 1a1) of one who despises wisdom 1a2) of one who mocks when guilty 1a3) of one who is quarrelsome 1a4) of one who is licentious

[is] foolishnessאִוֶּֽלֶת׃'i-VE-letH0200
folly

אִוֶּ֫לֶת (iv.ve.let) foolishness, folly

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.