Proverbs 17:16-26

16 To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense?

17 The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18 A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.

19 He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.

20 He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.

21 He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.

22 A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

23 A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.

24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.

26 To punish a righteous [man] is not good, nor to strike nobles because of [their] uprightness.

Proverbs 17:16-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 7

This chapter gives an account of some buildings of Solomon for himself, 1Ki 7:1-12; and of other things for the use of the temple; of two pillars of brass, 1Ki 7:13-22; of the molten sea, 1Ki 7:23-26; and of ten bases, and ten layers on them, 1Ki 7:27-39; with other utensils and ornaments, 1Ki 7:40-51.

Footnotes

• [a]. Strictly, 'void of heart,' as ch. 15.21: see ch. 6.32, &c.
• [b]. Or 'friend,' as ver. 17 and ch. 6.1, &c.
• [c]. Nabal: see Note l, ver. 7.
• [d]. Or 'on the face of:' see Eccles. 8.1.