Proverbs 16:25 (GNV)

Passage

There is a way that seemeth right vnto man: but the issue thereof are the wayes of death.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 16:23 The heart of the wise guideth his mouth wisely, and addeth doctrine to his lippes.

Proverbs 16:24 Faire wordes are as an hony combe, sweetenesse to the soule, and health to the bones.

Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right vnto man: but the issue thereof are the wayes of death.

Proverbs 16:26 The person that traueileth, traueileth for himselfe: for his mouth craueth it of him.

Proverbs 16:27 A wicked man diggeth vp euill, and in his lippes is like burning fire.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "seemeth", "right", "vnto", "issue", "thereof", "wayes", and "death". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "seemeth" and "right", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 24's "Faire wordes are as an hony combe..." into verse 26's "The person that traueileth traueileth for himselfe...", so "seemeth" and "right" 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 "seemeth" and "right" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.