Proverbs 17:13-23

13 He who ¹returns evil for good, ²Evil will not depart from his house.

14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So ³abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

15 He who ⁴justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both * of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

16 Why * is there a price in the hand of a fool to ⁵buy wisdom, When he has no sense?

17 A ⁶friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man lacking in sense ⁷pledges * And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.

19 He who ⁸loves transgression loves strife; He who ⁹raises his door seeks destruction.

20 He who has a crooked mind ¹⁰finds no good, And he who is ¹¹perverted in his language falls into evil.

21 He who ¹²sires a fool does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.

22 A ¹³joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit ¹⁴dries up the bones.

23 A wicked man receives a ¹⁵bribe from the bosom To ¹⁶pervert the ways of justice.

Proverbs 17:13-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 7

This chapter gives an account of some buildings of Solomon for himself, 1Ki 7:1-12; and of other things for the use of the temple; of two pillars of brass, 1Ki 7:13-22; of the molten sea, 1Ki 7:23-26; and of ten bases, and ten layers on them, 1Ki 7:27-39; with other utensils and ornaments, 1Ki 7:40-51.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 35:12; Psalms 109:5; Jeremiah 18:20
• 2. 2 Samuel 12:10; 1 Kings 21:22; Proverbs 13:21
• 3. Proverbs 20:3; Proverbs 25:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:11
• 4. Exodus 23:7; Proverbs 18:5; Proverbs 24:24; Isaiah 5:23
• 5. Proverbs 23:23
• 6. Ruth 1:16; Proverbs 18:24
• 7. Proverbs 6:1; Proverbs 11:15; Proverbs 22:26
• 8. Proverbs 29:22
• 9. Proverbs 16:18; Proverbs 29:23
• 10. Proverbs 24:20
• 11. James 3:8
• 12. Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 17:25; Proverbs 19:13
• 13. Proverbs 15:13
• 14. Psalms 22:15
• 15. Proverbs 17:8
• 16. Exodus 23:8; Micah 3:11; Micah 7:3

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "there is no heart"
• [b]. Lit "heart"
• [c]. Lit "shakes hands"
• [d]. Lit "heart"
• [e]. Lit "causes good healing"