English Standard Version
Proverbs 16:4
4The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
Proverbs 16:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
- New International Version (NIV)The Lord works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.
Context of Proverbs 16:4
2All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. 3Commit 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. 5Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. 6By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
Read all of Proverbs 16Proverbs 16:4 word by word
כֹּ֤ל פָּעַ֣ל יְ֭הוָה לַֽמַּעֲנֵ֑הוּ וְגַם־רָ֝שָׁ֗ע לְי֣וֹם רָעָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 16:4
- Isaiah 43:7everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."
- Romans 11:36For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
- Revelation 4:11"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
- Job 21:30that the evil man is spared in the day of calamity, that he is rescued in the day of wrath?
- Romans 9:22What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
- 1 Peter 2:8and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
- 2 Peter 2:3And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
Commentaries on Proverbs 16:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4The Lord hath made all things for himself - He has so framed and executed every part of his creation, that it manifests his wisdom, power, goodness, and truth. Even the wicked for the day of evil - רעה ליום רשע וגם vegam rasha leyom raah . The whole verse is translated by the Chaldee thus: "All the works of the Lord are for those who obey him; and the wicked is reserved for the evil day." As רעה raah literally signifies to feed, it has been conjectured…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4For himself - Better, The Lord has done everything for its own end; and this includes the appointment of an “evil day” for “the wicked” who deserve it.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4Verse 4 God makes use of the wicked to execute righteous vengeance on each other; and he will be glorified by their destruction at last.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4The wicked will face difficulties in life and after death. God controls everything (see also Romans 9:10–24; 2 Peter 2:9).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. for himself--"for its answer," or "purpose," that is, according to God's plan; the wicked are for the day of evil (Psa 49:5; Jr 17:18); sinning and suffering answer to each other, are indissolubly united.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 16:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries