Proverbs 17:11-21

11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger^[a] will be sent against him.

12 Better for a man to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his foolishness.

13 If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never depart from his house.

14 To start a conflict is to release a flood; stop the dispute before it breaks out.^[b]

15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just- both are detestable to the Lord.^[c]

16 Why does a fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?^[d]

17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.^[e]

18 One without sense enters an agreement^[f] and puts up security for his friend.^[g]

19 One who loves to offend loves strife; one who builds a high threshold invites injury.^[h]

20 One with a twisted mind will not succeed, and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.^[i]

21 A man fathers a fool to his own sorrow; the father of a fool has no joy.^[j]

Proverbs 17:11-21 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]. Or a merciless angel; Ps 78:49
• [b]. Pr 20:3
• [c]. Pr 17:26; 18:5; 24:23-24
• [d]. Pr 4:5,7; 18:15
• [e]. Pr 18:24; 27:10
• [f]. Lit sense shakes hands
• [g]. Pr 6:1-5; 11:15; 22:26
• [h]. Pr 13:10; 16:18; 29:22
• [i]. Jr 23:36
• [j]. Pr 10:1; 17:25; 23:24-25