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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/16.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/16.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The LORD works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/16.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The LORD hath made all <i>things</i> for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Yahweh has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked [according to their role] for the day of evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD has prepared everything for his purpose — even the wicked for the day of disaster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD has prepared everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Jehovah hath made everything for its own end; Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The LORD has a reason for everything he does, and he lets evil people live only to be punished. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The LORD hath made every thing for its own end: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The LORD has made everything for his own purpose, even wicked people for the day of trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Everything the LORD has made has its destiny; and the destiny of the wicked is destruction. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD made everything answerable to him, including the wicked at the time of trouble. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD has made everything for His purpose?even the wicked for the day of disaster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The LORD works everything for its own ends--even the wicked for the day of disaster. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The LORD has made everything for its own end--yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The LORD hath made all things for himself: yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Yahweh has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />YHWH has worked all things for Himself, "" And also the wicked—for a day of evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> All things hath Jehovah wrought for Himself, And also the wicked worketh for a day of evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Jehovah made all to his purpose, and also the unjust for the day of evil.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The Lord has wrought all things because of himself. Likewise the impious is for the evil day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The LORD has made everything for a purpose, even the wicked for the evil day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />All the works of the LORD are for those who will hearken to him; but the wicked are reserved for the day of calamity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />All the works of LORD JEHOVAH are for those that submit to him, and the evil are kept for the day of evil.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The LORD hath made every things for His own purpose, Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/16-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=3067" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/16.htm">The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">The LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/6466.htm" title="6466: pā·‘al (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- Do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, especially to practise.">has made</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kōl (N-ms) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">everything</a> <a href="/hebrew/4617.htm" title="4617: lam·ma·‘ă·nê·hū (Prep-l, Art:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- An answer, response. From anah; a reply.">for His purpose—</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: wə·ḡam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">even</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rā·šā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">the wicked</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: lə·yō·wm (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">for the day</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā·‘āh (N-fs) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">of disaster.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-22.htm">Romans 9:22-23</a></span><br />What if God, intending to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the vessels of His wrath, prepared for destruction? / What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the vessels of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-7.htm">Isaiah 45:7</a></span><br />I form the light and create the darkness; I bring prosperity and create calamity. I, the LORD, do all these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Colossians 1:16</a></span><br />For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/1-11.htm">Ephesians 1:11</a></span><br />In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/21-30.htm">Job 21:30</a></span><br />Indeed, the evil man is spared from the day of calamity, delivered from the day of wrath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-8.htm">1 Peter 2:8</a></span><br />and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-10.htm">Isaiah 46:10</a></span><br />I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/2-20.htm">2 Timothy 2:20-21</a></span><br />A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use. / So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/9-16.htm">Exodus 9:16</a></span><br />But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power to you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/33-11.htm">Psalm 33:11</a></span><br />The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/4-11.htm">Revelation 4:11</a></span><br />“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6</a></span><br />“O house of Israel, declares the LORD, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-41.htm">Matthew 25:41</a></span><br />Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-35.htm">Daniel 4:35</a></span><br />All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/9-3.htm">John 9:3</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The LORD has made all things for himself: yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.</p><p class="hdg">Lord</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/43-7.htm">Isaiah 43:7,21</a></b></br> <i>Even</i> every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/11-36.htm">Romans 11:36</a></b></br> For of him, and through him, and to him, <i>are</i> all things: to whom <i>be</i> glory for ever. Amen.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/4-11.htm">Revelation 4:11</a></b></br> Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.</p><p class="hdg">yea</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/21-30.htm">Job 21:30</a></b></br> That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/9-22.htm">Romans 9:22</a></b></br> <i>What</i> if God, willing to shew <i>his</i> wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_peter/2-8.htm">1 Peter 2:8</a></b></br> And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, <i>even to them</i> which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/6-26.htm">Account</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-15.htm">Disaster</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-18.htm">End</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-24.htm">Ends</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-28.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-2.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-6.htm">Sinner</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-27.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-29.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-16.htm">Worketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-3.htm">Works</a> <a href="/psalms/143-5.htm">Wrought</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/27-14.htm">Account</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-5.htm">Disaster</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-25.htm">End</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-24.htm">Ends</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-6.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-1.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-23.htm">Sinner</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-28.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-12.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-24.htm">Worketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-26.htm">Works</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-11.htm">Wrought</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 16</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/16-1.htm">The Plans of the heart</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/16.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The LORD has made everything for His purpose</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the sovereignty of God in creation and providence. It reflects the biblical theme that God is the ultimate authority and designer of the universe, as seen in <a href="/genesis/1.htm">Genesis 1:1</a>, where God creates the heavens and the earth. The idea that everything is made for God's purpose aligns with <a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28</a>, which speaks of God working all things for the good of those who love Him. This underscores the belief that nothing is random or without divine intention, echoing the wisdom literature's focus on God's control over the cosmos.<p><b>even the wicked for the day of disaster</b><br>This part of the verse addresses the difficult concept of divine justice and the existence of evil. It suggests that even those who oppose God have a role within His sovereign plan. This is consistent with the biblical narrative where God uses even the actions of the wicked to fulfill His purposes, as seen in the story of Pharaoh in <a href="/exodus/9-16.htm">Exodus 9:16</a>. The "day of disaster" can be understood as a time of judgment, reminiscent of the Day of the Lord described in prophetic books like Joel and Amos. This phrase also points to the ultimate justice of God, where evil will be addressed and rectified, aligning with <a href="/revelation/20-11.htm">Revelation 20:11-15</a>, which describes the final judgment.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, emphasizing His sovereignty and purposeful creation.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wicked.htm">The Wicked</a></b><br>Those who live in opposition to God's will, often experiencing consequences for their actions.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/day_of_disaster.htm">Day of Disaster</a></b><br>A time of judgment or calamity, often seen as a consequence of wickedness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>God is in control of all creation, and everything serves His divine purpose, even if we do not fully understand it.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purpose_in_creation.htm">Purpose in Creation</a></b><br>Every aspect of creation, including those who oppose God, ultimately serves His greater plan and purpose.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_justice.htm">Divine Justice</a></b><br>The wicked are not outside of God's plan; their actions and the resulting consequences are part of His righteous judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_plan.htm">Trust in God's Plan</a></b><br>Believers can find comfort in knowing that God has a purpose for everything, encouraging trust in His wisdom and timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_righteousness.htm">Call to Righteousness</a></b><br>Understanding the fate of the wicked should motivate believers to pursue righteousness and align with God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 16</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_proverbs_16_4_imply_god_created_evil.htm">Proverbs 16:4 states God made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for a day of disaster—doesn’t this suggest a divine origin for evil, conflicting with the idea of a just and loving God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_punish_babylon_if_god_used_it.htm">Jeremiah 51:7 calls Babylon a “golden cup” in God’s hand; if God used Babylon, why should the nation be punished? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/meaning_of_'fearfully_and_wonderfully_made'.htm">What does "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_a_'cruel_messenger'_fit_a_kind_deity.htm">Proverbs 17:11 describes a “cruel messenger” sent against rebels. How can this align with the notion of a benevolent deity? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">The Lord hath made all things for himself--</span>i.e., to serve His own purposes, that His wisdom, goodness, &c, may be thereby revealed. Or the passage may be translated, "hath made all for its own end or purpose." The assertion that "He has made the wicked for the day of evil," does not mean that He created any one for punishment--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>predestined him for destruction. It only teaches that even the wicked are subservient to God's eternal purposes; that Pharaoh, for instance, by his rebellion could not change God's plans for the deliverance of His people, but only gave Him an occasion for showing forth His power, justice, goodness, and longsuffering. The "day of evil," <span class= "ital">i.e., </span>punishment, at last overtook Pharaoh in accordance with the law and purpose of God that the wicked, if unrepentant, shall be punished, and thereby serve as a warning to others; but God by his longsuffering shewed that He was "not willing" that he should "perish," but rather that he "should come to repentance" (<a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm" title="The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.">2Peter 3:9</a>). This appears to be also the teaching of St. Paul in <a href="/romans/9-17.htm" title="For the scripture said to Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.">Romans 9:17</a>, <span class= "ital">sqq.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The Lord hath made all things for himself</span>. So the Vulgate, <span class="accented">propter semetipsum</span>; and Origen ('Praef. in Job'), <span class="greek">δἰ ἑαυτόν</span>. That is, God hath made everything for his own purpose, to answer the design which he hath intended from all eternity (<a href="/revelation/4-11.htm">Revelation 4:11</a>). But this translation is not in accordance with the present reading, <span class="hebrew">לַמַּעַנֵהוּ</span>, which means rather "for its own end," for its own proper use. Everything in God's design has its own end and object and reason for being where it is and such as it is; everything exhibits his goodness and wisdom, and tends to his glory. Septuagint, "All the works of the Lord are with righteousness." <span class="cmt_word">Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.</span> This clause has been perverted to support the terrible doctrine of reprobation - that God, whose will must be always efficacious, has willed the damnation of some; whereas we are taught that God's will is that "all men should be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth," and that "God sent his Son not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved" (<a href="/1_timothy/2-4.htm">1 Timothy 2:4</a>; <a href="/john/3-17.htm">John 3:17</a>; comp. <a href="/ezekiel/33-11.htm">Ezekiel 33:11</a>). Man, having freewill, can reject this gracious purpose of God, and render the means of salvation nugatory; but this does not make God the cause of man's destruction, but man himself. In saying that God "made the wicked," the writer does not mean that God made him as such, but made him as he made all other things, giving him powers and capacities which he might have used to good, but which, as a fact, he uses to evil. It will be useful here to quote the wise words of St. Gregory ('Moral.,' 6:33), "The Just and Merciful One, as he disposes the deeds of mortals, vouchsafes some things in mercy, and permits other things in anger; and the things which he permits he so bears with that he turns them to the account of his purpose. And hence it is brought to pass in a marvellous way that even that which is done without t,e will of God is not contrary to the will of God. For while evil deeds are converted to a good use, the very things that oppose his design render service to his design." <span class="accented">The day of evil</span> is the hour of punishment (<a href="/isaiah/10-3.htm">Isaiah 10:3</a>; <a href="/job/21-30.htm">Job 21:30</a>), which by a moral law will inevitably fall upon the sinner. God makes man's wickedness subserve his purposes and manifest his glory, as we see in the case of Pharaoh (<a href="/exodus/9-16.htm">Exodus 9:16</a>), and the crucifixion of our blessed Lord (<a href="/acts/2-23.htm">Acts 2:23</a>; comp. <a href="/romans/9-22.htm">Romans 9:22</a>). It is a phase of God's moral government that an evil day should be appointed for transgressors, and it is from foreknowledge of their deserts that their punishment is prepared. The perplexing question, why God allows men to come into the world whom he knows will meet with perdition, is not handled here. Septuagint, "But the impious is kept for an evil day." Cato, 'Dist.,' 2:8 - <p><span class="foreign">"Nolo putes pravos homines peccata lucrari:<br />Temporibus peccata latent, sed tempore patent."</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/16-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְ֭הוָה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has made</span><br /><span class="heb">פָּעַ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(pā·‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6466.htm">Strong's 6466: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make, to practise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">everything</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּ֤ל</span> <span class="translit">(kōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for His purpose—</span><br /><span class="heb">לַֽמַּעֲנֵ֑הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(lam·ma·‘ă·nê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4617.htm">Strong's 4617: </a> </span><span class="str2">An answer, response</span><br /><br /><span class="word">even</span><br /><span class="heb">וְגַם־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḡam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the wicked</span><br /><span class="heb">רָ֝שָׁ֗ע</span> <span class="translit">(rā·šā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wrong, an, bad person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the day</span><br /><span class="heb">לְי֣וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of disaster.</span><br /><span class="heb">רָעָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(rā·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/16-4.htm">Proverbs 16:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/16-4.htm">Proverbs 16:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/16-4.htm">Proverbs 16:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/16-4.htm">Proverbs 16:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/16-4.htm">Proverbs 16:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/16-4.htm">Proverbs 16:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/16-4.htm">Proverbs 16:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/16-4.htm">Proverbs 16:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/16-4.htm">Proverbs 16:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/16-4.htm">Proverbs 16:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/16-4.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:4 Yahweh has made everything for its own (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/16-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 16:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 16:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/16-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 16:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 16:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>