Proverbs 16:18-28

18 Before destruction [comes] pride, and before a fall, a haughty spirit.

19 Better a lowly spirit with the poor than dividing the spoil with the proud.

20 He who is attentive to a matter will find goodness, and he who trusts in Yahweh, his own happiness.

21 The wise of heart is called perceptive, but he who is pleasant of lips will increase persuasiveness.

22 A fountain of life is wisdom for its owner, but the instruction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise will make his mouth judicious, and upon his lips, it will add persuasiveness.

24 Pleasant sayings [are] a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and healing to the bones.

25 There is a way [that seems] upright {to} a man, but its end [is] the way of death.

26 The life of a worker works for him, for his {hunger} urges him.

27 A man of wickedness concocts evil, and his lips [are] like a scorching fire.

28 A person of perversity will spread dissent, and he who whispers separates a close friend.

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew "a haughty of spirit"
• [b]. Or "mind"
• [c]. Or "master"
• [d]. Or "punishment"
• [e]. Or "mind"
• [f]. Or "he"
• [g]. Literally "to the face of"
• [h]. Or "soul," or "inner self"
• [i]. Literally "mouth"