Proverbs 17:3-13

3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.

4 A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

5 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

7 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.

9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.

11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them.

12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly.

13 Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good.

Proverbs 17:3-13 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.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 27:21
• 2. S 1 Chronicles 29:17; Psalms 26:2; S Psalms 139:23; 1 Peter 1:7; Jeremiah 17:10
• 3. S Job 5:16
• 4. Proverbs 14:31
• 5. S Job 31:29
• 6. Ezekiel 25:3; Obadiah 1:12
• 7. S Psalms 128:5-6; Proverbs 13:22
• 8. Proverbs 16:10
• 9. S Exodus 23:8; Proverbs 19:6
• 10. S Proverbs 10:12
• 11. Proverbs 16:28
• 12. S 1 Samuel 25:25
• 13. S 1 Samuel 19:4; Psalms 109:4-5; Jeremiah 18:20
• 14. S Genesis 44:4; S Psalms 35:12