Proverbs 17:1-9

1 Better a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting with strife.^[a]

2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share an inheritance among brothers.

3 A crucible is for silver and a smelter for gold, but the Lord is a tester of hearts.^[b]

4 A wicked person listens to malicious talk;^[c] a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

5 The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker,^[d] and one who rejoices over disaster will not go unpunished.^[e]

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly, and the pride of sons is their fathers.

7 Excessive speech is not appropriate on a fool's lips; how much worse are lies for a ruler.

8 A bribe seems like a magic stone to its owner; wherever he turns, he succeeds.^[f]

9 Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends.^[g]

Proverbs 17:1-9 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]. Pr 21:9,19; 25:24
• [b]. Pr 16:2; 21:2; Isa 48:10
• [c]. Lit to lips of iniquity
• [d]. Pr 14:31; 21:13
• [e]. Lm 1:21-22; Ezk 25:6-7; 35:15
• [f]. Pr 18:16; 19:6; 21:14
• [g]. Pr 11:13; 16:28; Lv 19:16; Ps 101:5; 1 Pt 4:8