Proverbs 21:13-23

13 Whoever shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will call and not be answered.

14 A gift [given] in secret calms anger, and a secret bribe calms great fury.

15 When justice is done, a righteous person is delighted, but troublemakers are terrified.

16 A person who wanders from the way of wise behavior will rest in the assembly of the dead.

17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor. Whoever loves wine and expensive food will not become rich.

18 Wicked people become a ransom for righteous people, and treacherous people will take the place of decent people.

19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarreling and angry woman.

20 Costly treasure and wealth are in the home of a wise person, but a fool devours them.

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and mercy will find life, righteousness, and honor.

22 A wise man attacks a city of warriors and pulls down the strong defenses in which they trust.

23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Proverbs 21:13-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 9

This chapter relates a second vision Solomon had at Gibeon, in which he received an answer to his prayer in the preceding chapter, 1Ki 9:1-9 that passed between him and Hiram king of Tyre, 1Ki 9:10-14, the places that Solomon built or repaired, 1Ki 9:15-19, the Canaanitish people that became bondmen to him, and the officers he had among the children of Israel, 1Ki 9:20-23 the removal of Pharaoh's daughter to the house built for her, 1Ki 9:24. Solomon's attention to religious services, 1Ki 9:25 and the navy of ships he employed, which brought him in great riches, 1Ki 9:26-28.