Proverbs 17:2-12

2 A slave who deals wisely will rule over a child who acts shamefully, and in the midst of brothers he will share his inheritance.

3 A crucible [is] for the silver, and a furnace [is] for the gold, but Yahweh will test hearts.

4 He who does evil listens to lips of wickedness, [and] the liar gives heed to the tongue of mischief.

5 He who mocks the poor insults him who made him; he who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.

6 The crown of the elderly [are] {grandchildren}, and the glory of children [is] their fathers.

7 {Fine speech} [is] not becoming a fool, {still less} [is] {false speech} for a ruler.

8 The bribe [is] a stone of magic in the eyes of its owner; {everywhere} he will turn, he will prosper.

9 He who forgives an affront fosters love, but he who waits on a matter will alienate a friend.

10 A rebuke strikes him who understands deeper than one hundred blows to a fool.

11 An evil person will seek only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12 [May] a man meet a she-bear robbed of offspring and not a fool in his folly.

Proverbs 17:2-12 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.

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "sons of sons"
• [b] Literally "A lip of fine[ness]"
• [c] Literally "only for"
• [d] Literally "lip of deceit"
• [e] Or "master"
• [f] Literally "to all which"