Proverbs 16:17-27

17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life.^[a]

18 Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.^[b]

19 Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble^[c] than to divide plunder with the proud.^[d]

20 The one who understands a matter finds success, and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.^[e]

21 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech^[f] increases learning.^[g]

22 Insight is a fountain of life^[h] for its possessor, but folly is the instruction of fools.

23 A wise heart instructs its mouth and increases learning with its speech.^{[i] [j]}

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste^[k] and health to the body.^[l][m]

25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it is the way of death.^[n]

26 A worker's appetite works for him because his hunger^[o] urges him on.

27 A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.^[p]

Proverbs 16:17-27 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Pr 2:11-13; 15:19
• [b]. Pr 16:5; 18:12; 29:23; Dn 4:37
• [c]. Alt Hb tradition reads afflicted
• [d]. Pr 15:16-17; 16:8; Ps 37:16
• [e]. Ps 34:8; 40:4; 84:12; 146:5
• [f]. Lit and sweetness of lips
• [g]. Pr 1:5; 9:9; 16:23
• [h]. Pr 10:11; 13:14; 14:27
• [i]. Lit learning upon his lips
• [j]. Pr 1:5; 9:9; 16:21
• [k]. Lit throat
• [l]. Lit bones
• [m]. Pr 15:26,30; 25:13
• [n]. Pr 14:12; 24:20
• [o]. Lit mouth
• [p]. Pr 6:12; 19:28; 26:23