Proverbs 16:1-2
Amplified Bible
Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
16 The plans and reflections of the heart belong to man,
But the [wise] answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2
All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions],
But the Lord weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth].(A)
Proverbs 16:4
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4
The Lord has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked [according to their role] for the day of evil.
Proverbs 16:7
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7
When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Proverbs 16:9
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9
A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life],
But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.(A)
Proverbs 16:11
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11
A just balance and [honest] scales are the Lord’s;
All the weights of the bag are His concern [established by His eternal principles].
Proverbs 16:33
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33
The lot is cast into the lap,
[a]But its every decision is from the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:33 This is the reason why the casting of lots was sanctioned in Israel for certain cases of decision-making (e.g. Lev 16:8; Josh 18:6, 8; 1 Chr 25:8, etc.). It was understood that the outcomes were controlled by God, and the seemingly random procedure eliminated human influence. The last time the ritual is mentioned in the Bible is in the choice of Matthias to replace Judas (Acts 1:26). Many believe that the filling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts 2 officially put an end to the ritual because it was then replaced by the direct guidance of the Spirit. It was never sanctioned or recommended as a way to determine God’s will in personal decision-making.
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