Proverbs 16:20-30

20 Whoever gives thought to the word^[a]1will discover good, and blessed is he ²who trusts in the LORD.

21 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech ³increases persuasiveness.

22 Good sense is ⁴a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.

23 ⁵The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24 ⁶Gracious words are like ⁷a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and ⁸health 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 ⁹mouth urges him on.

27 ¹⁰A worthless man plots evil, and his speech^[c] is like ¹¹a scorching fire.

28 ¹²A dishonest man spreads strife, and ¹³a whisperer ¹⁴separates close friends.

29 A man of violence ¹⁵entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.

30 Whoever winks his eyes plans^[d]16dishonest things; he who ¹⁷purses his lips brings evil to pass.

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

Footnotes

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