Proverbs 16:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.

NIV: Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

NASB: He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

CSB: The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions; the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.

NLT: With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief.

KJV: He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

NKJV: He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil.

Proverbs 6:13 refers to those who use subtle signals to communicate with other criminals. The association of wrongdoing with "shifty" facial signs is also seen in Proverbs 10:10. The imagery here is of someone who plans evil (Proverbs 16:27) and conspires with others to secretly spring violence (Proverbs 16:29) on an unsuspecting person (Proverbs 1:11, 18).

Others may not understand the signals sent by conspiring attackers, but the Lord understands. Nothing is hidden from God (Hebrews 4:13). He sees the heart and discerns the intentions of the heart and mind (1 Samuel 16:7). He will not fail to judge the unrighteous. Jeremiah 17:9–10 declares: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"

Perhaps the Bible's most infamous use of these deceptive signals was Judas. He betrayed Christ using a signal to those who would arrest Jesus. He told the arresting soldiers that he would identify Jesus by kissing Him. However, Jesus knew what the kiss meant (Luke 22:47–48).

Proverbs 16:27–33 closes chapter 16, as Solomon continues his wise sayings. This passage contrasts evil men with men who are righteous, honest, and disciplined. Evil in the heart produces wicked speech, but righteousness in the heart shows itself in righteous living.

This part of Solomon's proverbs emphasizes human motives, self-control, and common sense. Many of these proverbs are arranged in a two-part style. The first and second half of these statements make the same basic point, but from opposite perspectives. Notable verses are verses 9 and 33, speaking of God's sovereignty, and verse 18, a famous warning about arrogance. Also often cited is verse 25, which repeats Proverbs 14:12 and encourages self-reflection.

A lengthy list of Solomon's wise sayings began in chapter 10. Chapter 16 begins a section mostly composed of comparisons and completions. It extends to Proverbs 22:16. Man's thoughts, speech, motives, and conduct are examined in this chapter. The chapter also addresses pride, evil, and injustice.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.