Proverbs 21:7-17

7 The devastation of the wicked sweepeth them away, because they refuse to do what is right.

8 Very crooked is the way of a guilty man; but as for the pure, his work is upright.

9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.

10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

12 One that is righteous wisely considereth the house of the wicked: he overthroweth the wicked to [their] ruin.

13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also himself shall cry, and shall not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger; and a present in the bosom, vehement fury.

15 It is joy to a righteous [man] to do what is right; but it is ruin for the workers of iniquity.

16 The man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom shall abide in the congregation of the dead.

17 He that loveth mirth shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

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]. Or 'in evil.'
• [b]. Elsewhere 'righteous judgment.'
• [c]. Sachal: see ch. 1.3.
• [d]. Or 'shades;' cf. ch. 2.18.