Proverbs 16:19-29

19 ¹It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to ²divide the spoil with the proud.

20 Whoever gives thought to the word^[a]3will discover good, and blessed is he ⁴who trusts in the LORD.

21 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech ⁵increases persuasiveness.

22 Good sense is ⁶a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.

23 ⁷The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24 ⁸Gracious words are like ⁹a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and ¹⁰health to the body.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.^[b]

26 A worker's appetite works for him; his ¹¹mouth urges him on.

27 ¹²A worthless man plots evil, and his speech^[c] is like ¹³a scorching fire.

28 ¹⁴A dishonest man spreads strife, and ¹⁵a whisperer ¹⁶separates close friends.

29 A man of violence ¹⁷entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.

Proverbs 16:19-29 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 6

This chapter gives an account of the building of the temple, for which preparations were before made and begins with the time of its building, 1Ki 6:1; gives the dimensions of it and the porch before it, 1Ki 6:2,3; observes the windows in it and chambers about it, 1Ki 6:4-10; and while it was building, Solomon had a word from the Lord relative to it, 1Ki 6:11-14; and then the account goes on concerning the walls of the house, and the flooring of it, 1Ki 6:15-18; and the oracle in it, and the cherubim in that, 1Ki 6:19-30; and the doors into it, and the carved work of them, 1Ki 6:31-36; and the chapter is concluded with observing the time when it was begun and finished 1Ki 6:37,38.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 29:23; Isaiah 57:15
• 2. See Exodus 15:9
• 3. Proverbs 19:8
• 4. See Psalms 2:12
• 5. ver. 23
• 6. See Proverbs 10:11
• 7. [Psalms 37:30; Matthew 12:34]
• 8. Proverbs 15:26
• 9. Psalms 19:10
• 10. See Proverbs 4:22
• 11. [Ecclesiastes 6:7]
• 12. [Proverbs 6:12, 14, 19]
• 13. James 3:6
• 14. See Proverbs 15:18
• 15. [Proverbs 18:8; Proverbs 26:20, 22]
• 16. Proverbs 17:9
• 17. Proverbs 1:10

Footnotes

• [a]. Or to a matter
• [b]. Hebrew ways of death
• [c]. Hebrew what is on his lips