Proverbs 21:18-28

18 A ransom for the righteous is the wicked, and [the] faithless instead of the upright.

19 Better to live in a land of wilderness than [with] a wife of quarrels and provocation.

20 Precious treasure and oil [are] in the house of the wise, but the foolish person will devour them.

21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

22 To a city of warriors, the wise ascends, and he will bring down the stronghold--its object of trust.

23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue, he guards his life from danger.

24 The proud, haughty one: "scoffer" [is] his name; he acts with arrogance of pride.

25 The craving of a lazy person will kill him, for his hands refuse to work.

26 {All day} he craves a craving, but the righteous will give and not hold back.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination; how much more when he brings it in divisiveness!

28 A false witness will perish, but a man who listens will testify with success.

Proverbs 21:18-28 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "foolish of mankind"
• [b]. Literally "it"
• [c]. Or "soul," or "inner self"
• [d]. Or "make"
• [e]. Literally "All the day"
• [f]. Hebrew "to the"