Proverbs 16:21-31

21 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech ¹increases persuasiveness.

22 Good sense is ²a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.

23 ³The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24 ⁴Gracious words are like ⁵a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and ⁶health to the body.

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

26 A worker's appetite works for him; his ⁷mouth urges him on.

27 ⁸A worthless man plots evil, and his speech^[b] is like ⁹a scorching fire.

28 ¹⁰A dishonest man spreads strife, and ¹¹a whisperer ¹²separates close friends.

29 A man of violence ¹³entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.

30 Whoever winks his eyes plans^[c]14dishonest things; he who ¹⁵purses his lips brings evil to pass.

31 ¹⁶Gray hair is ¹⁷a crown of glory; it ¹⁸is gained in a righteous life.

Proverbs 16:21-31 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.

Cross References

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

Footnotes

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