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“Pride goes before destruction.” (16:18) Unchecked sinful pride leads to eternal destruction. Pray for humble hearts so that we place God’s wisdom above our proud, sin-tainted reason. “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus.” (Galatians 6:14)

BibleGateway: Proverbs 16:1-20

ESV Text: Proverbs 16:1-20

Proverbs 16:1–20 (Listen)


16:1   The plans of the heart belong to man,
    but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
  All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
    but the LORD weighs the spirit.1
  Commit your work to the LORD,
    and your plans will be established.
  The LORD has made everything for its purpose,
    even the wicked for the day of trouble.
  Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
    be assured, he will not go unpunished.
  By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
    and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.
  When a man’s ways please the LORD,
    he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
  Better is a little with righteousness
    than great revenues with injustice.
  The heart of man plans his way,
    but the LORD establishes his steps.
10   An oracle is on the lips of a king;
    his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11   A just balance and scales are the LORD’s;
    all the weights in the bag are his work.
12   It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
    for the throne is established by righteousness.
13   Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
    and he loves him who speaks what is right.
14   A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
    and a wise man will appease it.
15   In the light of a king’s face there is life,
    and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16   How much better to get wisdom than gold!
    To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17   The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;
    whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18   Pride goes before destruction,
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19   It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
    than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20   Whoever gives thought to the word2 will discover good,
    and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

Footnotes

[1] 16:2 Or spirits

[2] 16:20 Or to a matter

(ESV)


KJV Text: Proverbs 16:1-20

The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 2:17

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     1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

     2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

     3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

     4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

     5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

     6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

     7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

     8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

     9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

     10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

     11 A just weight and balance are the Lord’s: all the weights of the bag are his work.

     12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

     13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

     14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. 15 In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

     16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

     17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

     18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

     19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

     20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 408 : Jesus Christ, my Pride and Glory

Hymnary.org

Organ Audio

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1. Jesus Christ, my pride and glory,
He, the true and living Light,
Strengthens me with glorious might.
Christ, revealed in sacred story,
Whom I now as Lord confess,
Teaches me true holiness.

2. Let me live to praise Thee ever,
Jesus, thou my heart’s Delight,
Thou who leadest me aright.
Let me cling to Thee forever,
All the fleshly lusts deny
And the devil’s hosts defy.

3. Grant me, Lord, Thy Holy Spirit
That in all I follow Him
Lest the light of faith grow dim.
Let me ever trust Thy merit,
Let Thy blessing me attend,
From all evil me defend.

4. From all pain and imperfection,
Gracious Lord, deliver me,
Heaven’s glory let me see.
Keep me under Thy direction
That the grace thou gavest me
I may praise eternally.