Proverbs 16:7 (DRB)

Passage

When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 16:5 Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice: and this is more acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices.

Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed; and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

Proverbs 16:7 When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.

Proverbs 16:8 Better is a little with justice, than great revenues with iniquity.

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "ways", "shall", "please", "lord", "convert", "even", "enemies", and "peace". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "ways" and "shall", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 6's "By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed..." into verse 8's "Better is a little with justice than...", so "ways" and "shall" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "ways" and "shall" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.