Proverbs 16:18-28

18 ¹Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 ²It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to ³divide the spoil with the proud.

20 Whoever gives thought to the word^[a]⁴will discover good, and blessed is he ⁵who trusts in the LORD.

21 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech ⁶increases persuasiveness.

22 Good sense is ⁷a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.

23 ⁸The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24 ⁹Gracious words are like ¹⁰a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and ¹¹health 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 ¹²mouth urges him on.

27 ¹³A worthless man plots evil, and his speech^[c] is like ¹⁴a scorching fire.

28 ¹⁵A dishonest man spreads strife, and ¹⁶a whisperer ¹⁷separates close friends.

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Proverbs 16:18-28 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.