Proverbs 17:12-22

12 Let a man meet ¹a she-bear robbed of her cubs ²rather than a fool in his folly.

13 If anyone ³returns evil for good, ⁴evil will not depart from his house.

14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so ⁵quit before the quarrel breaks out.

15 He who ⁶justifies the wicked and he who ⁷condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.

16 Why should a fool have money in his hand ⁸to buy wisdom when he has no sense?

17 ⁹A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18 One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.

19 Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who ¹⁰makes his door high seeks destruction.

20 ¹¹A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.

21 He who ¹²sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.

22 ¹³A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit ¹⁴dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:12-22 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. 2 Samuel 17:8; Hosea 13:8
• 2. [Proverbs 27:3]
• 3. Psalms 35:12; Psalms 109:4, 5; [Proverbs 20:22; Matthew 5:39]
• 4. [2 Samuel 12:10]
• 5. Proverbs 20:3; Proverbs 25:8
• 6. Proverbs 24:24; Exodus 23:7; Isaiah 5:23
• 7. Job 34:17; Psalms 94:21; [ver. 26; Proverbs 18:5]
• 8. [Proverbs 23:23]
• 9. Proverbs 18:24; Proverbs 27:10; [Ruth 1:16; Job 6:14]
• 10. [Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 29:23]
• 11. [Proverbs 11:20]
• 12. Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 19:13
• 13. See Proverbs 15:13
• 14. Psalms 22:15; [Proverbs 12:25]