Proverbs 17:1-20

1 It is better to eat a dry crust of bread in peace than to have a feast where there is quarreling.

2 A wise servant will rule over the master's disgraceful child and will even inherit a share of what the master leaves his children.

3 A hot furnace tests silver and gold, but the Lord tests hearts.

4 Evil people listen to evil words. Liars pay attention to cruel words.

5 Whoever mistreats the poor insults their Maker; whoever enjoys someone's trouble will be punished.

6 Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.

7 Fools should not be proud, and rulers should not be liars.

8 Some people think they can pay others to do anything they ask. They think it will work every time.

9 Whoever forgives someone's sin makes a friend, but gossiping about the sin breaks up friendships.

10 A wise person will learn more from a warning than a fool will learn from a hundred lashings.

11 Disobedient people look only for trouble, so a cruel messenger will be sent against them.

12 It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to meet a fool doing foolish things.

13 Whoever gives evil in return for good will always have trouble at home.

14 Starting a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before a fight breaks out.

15 The Lord hates both of these things: freeing the guilty and punishing the innocent.

16 It won't do a fool any good to try to buy wisdom, because he doesn't have the ability to be wise.

17 A friend loves you all the time, and a brother helps in time of trouble.

18 It is not wise to promise to pay what your neighbor owes.

19 Whoever loves to argue loves to sin. Whoever brags a lot is asking for trouble.

20 A person with an evil heart will find no success, and the person whose words are evil will get into trouble.

Proverbs 17:1-20 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.