Proverbs 21:4-14

4 The lamp^[a] that guides the wicked- haughty eyes and an arrogant heart^[b]-is sin.

5 The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless only becomes poor.^[c]

6 Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist,^[d] a pursuit of death.^{[e] [f]}

7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly.

8 A guilty man's conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright.^[g]

9 Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.^[h]

10 A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration^[i] for his neighbor.

11 When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge.^[j]

12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; He brings the wicked to ruin.

13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered.^[k]

14 A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe,^[l] fierce rage.^[m]

Proverbs 21:4-14 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]. Some Hb mss, ancient versions read tillage
• [b]. Pr 6:16-17; 30:13; Ps 101:5
• [c]. Pr 10:4; 14:23; 21:20
• [d]. Or a breath blown away
• [e]. Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg read a snare of death
• [f]. Lit is vanity, ones seeking death
• [g]. Pr 20:11
• [h]. Pr 15:16-17; 17:1; 21:19; 25:24
• [i]. Or favor
• [j]. Pr 19:25
• [k]. Pr 14:31; 17:5; 19:17
• [l]. Lit a bribe in the bosom
• [m]. Pr 17:8; 18:16; 19:6