Proverbs 21:7-17

7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly.

8 A guilty man's conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright.^[a]

9 Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.^[b]

10 A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration^[c] for his neighbor.

11 When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge.^[d]

12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; He brings the wicked to ruin.

13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered.^[e]

14 A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe,^[f] fierce rage.^[g]

15 Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity.^[h]

16 The man who strays from the way of wisdom will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.^[i]

17 The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.^[j]

Proverbs 21:7-17 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Pr 20:11
• [b]. Pr 15:16-17; 17:1; 21:19; 25:24
• [c]. Or favor
• [d]. Pr 19:25
• [e]. Pr 14:31; 17:5; 19:17
• [f]. Lit a bribe in the bosom
• [g]. Pr 17:8; 18:16; 19:6
• [h]. Pr 10:29
• [i]. Pr 2:18; 9:18
• [j]. Ec 2:1-3,10-11