Proverbs 17:8-18

8 A bribe seems like a magic stone to its owner; wherever he turns, he succeeds.^[a]

9 Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends.^[b]

10 A rebuke cuts into a perceptive person more than a hundred lashes into a fool.

11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger^[c] will be sent against him.

12 Better for a man to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his foolishness.

13 If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never depart from his house.

14 To start a conflict is to release a flood; stop the dispute before it breaks out.^[d]

15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just- both are detestable to the Lord.^[e]

16 Why does a fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?^[f]

17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.^[g]

18 One without sense enters an agreement^[h] and puts up security for his friend.^[i]

Proverbs 17:8-18 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]. Pr 18:16; 19:6; 21:14
• [b]. Pr 11:13; 16:28; Lv 19:16; Ps 101:5; 1 Pt 4:8
• [c]. Or a merciless angel; Ps 78:49
• [d]. Pr 20:3
• [e]. Pr 17:26; 18:5; 24:23-24
• [f]. Pr 4:5,7; 18:15
• [g]. Pr 18:24; 27:10
• [h]. Lit sense shakes hands
• [i]. Pr 6:1-5; 11:15; 22:26