Proverbs 16:18-28

18 ¹Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 ²It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to ³divide the spoil with the proud.

20 Whoever gives thought to the word^[a]4will discover good, and blessed is he ⁵who trusts in the LORD.

21 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech ⁶increases persuasiveness.

22 Good sense is ⁷a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.

23 ⁸The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24 ⁹Gracious words are like ¹⁰a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and ¹¹health to the body.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.^[b]

26 A worker's appetite works for him; his ¹²mouth urges him on.

27 ¹³A worthless man plots evil, and his speech^[c] is like ¹⁴a scorching fire.

28 ¹⁵A dishonest man spreads strife, and ¹⁶a whisperer ¹⁷separates close friends.

Proverbs 16:18-28 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 6

This chapter gives an account of the building of the temple, for which preparations were before made and begins with the time of its building, 1Ki 6:1; gives the dimensions of it and the porch before it, 1Ki 6:2,3; observes the windows in it and chambers about it, 1Ki 6:4-10; and while it was building, Solomon had a word from the Lord relative to it, 1Ki 6:11-14; and then the account goes on concerning the walls of the house, and the flooring of it, 1Ki 6:15-18; and the oracle in it, and the cherubim in that, 1Ki 6:19-30; and the doors into it, and the carved work of them, 1Ki 6:31-36; and the chapter is concluded with observing the time when it was begun and finished 1Ki 6:37,38.

Proverbs 16:18-28 In-Context

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.

18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20 Whoever gives thought to the wordwill discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

21 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

22 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

26 A worker's appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.

27 A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

28 A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

29 A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.

30 Whoever winks his eyes plansdishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.

Cross References

• 1. See Proverbs 11:2
• 2. Proverbs 29:23; Isaiah 57:15
• 3. See Exodus 15:9
• 4. Proverbs 19:8
• 5. See Psalms 2:12
• 6. ver. 23
• 7. See Proverbs 10:11
• 8. [Psalms 37:30; Matthew 12:34]
• 9. Proverbs 15:26
• 10. Psalms 19:10
• 11. See Proverbs 4:22
• 12. [Ecclesiastes 6:7]
• 13. [Proverbs 6:12, 14, 19]
• 14. James 3:6
• 15. See Proverbs 15:18
• 16. [Proverbs 18:8; Proverbs 26:20, 22]
• 17. Proverbs 17:9

Footnotes

• [a]. Or to a matter
• [b]. Hebrew ways of death
• [c]. Hebrew what is on his lips