Proverbs 21:22-31

22 ¹A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

23 ²Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue ³keeps himself out of ⁴trouble.

24 ⁵"Scoffer" is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.

25 The desire of ⁶the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

26 All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous ⁷gives and does not hold back.

27 ⁸The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more ⁹when he brings it with evil intent.

28 ¹⁰A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.

29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright ¹¹gives thought to^[a] his ways.

30 ¹²No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.

31 ¹³The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but ¹⁴the victory belongs to the LORD.

Proverbs 21:22-31 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 9

This chapter relates a second vision Solomon had at Gibeon, in which he received an answer to his prayer in the preceding chapter, 1Ki 9:1-9 that passed between him and Hiram king of Tyre, 1Ki 9:10-14, the places that Solomon built or repaired, 1Ki 9:15-19, the Canaanitish people that became bondmen to him, and the officers he had among the children of Israel, 1Ki 9:20-23 the removal of Pharaoh's daughter to the house built for her, 1Ki 9:24. Solomon's attention to religious services, 1Ki 9:25 and the navy of ships he employed, which brought him in great riches, 1Ki 9:26-28.

Cross References

• 1. [Proverbs 24:5; Ecclesiastes 7:19]; See 2 Samuel 5:6-9; Ecclesiastes 9:14-18
• 2. See Proverbs 13:3
• 3. Proverbs 22:5
• 4. Proverbs 12:13
• 5. Proverbs 1:22; See Psalms 1:1
• 6. [Proverbs 13:4]
• 7. See Psalms 37:26
• 8. Isaiah 66:3; See Proverbs 15:8
• 9. [Proverbs 24:9]
• 10. Proverbs 19:5, 9
• 11. Psalms 119:5
• 12. Isaiah 8:9, 10; 1 Corinthians 3:19, 20; [Proverbs 19:21]
• 13. [Psalms 20:7; Psalms 33:17; Isaiah 31:1]
• 14. Jeremiah 3:23

Footnotes

• [a]. Or establishes