Proverbs 21:23-31

23 Anyone who is careful about what he says keeps himself out of trouble.

24 A proud person is called a "mocker." He thinks much too highly of himself.

25 Some people will die while they are still hungry. That's because their hands refuse to work.

26 All day long they hunger for more. But godly people give without holding back.

27 God hates sacrifices that are brought by evil people. He hates it even more when they bring them for the wrong reason.

28 Witnesses who aren't honest will die. And anyone who listens to them will be destroyed forever.

29 A sinful man tries to look as if he were bold. But an honest person thinks about how he lives.

30 No wisdom, wise saying or plan can succeed against the Lord.

31 You can prepare a horse for the day of battle. But the power to win comes from the Lord.

Proverbs 21:23-31 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.