Proverbs 17:11-21

11 Ever an evil man seeketh strives; forsooth a cruel angel shall be sent against him. (An evil person forevermore seeketh out strife, or arguments; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.)

12 It speedeth more to meet a female bear, when her whelps be ravished, than a fool trusting to himself in his folly. (It is better to meet a female bear after she hath been robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting himself in his own foolishness.)

13 Evil shall not go away from the house of him, that yieldeth evils for goods (who giveth evil for good).

14 He that letteth (out) water, is the head of strives, (or of arguments); and before that he suffereth wrong, he forsaketh doom (he deserteth judgement).

15 Both he that justifieth a wicked man, and he that condemneth a just man, ever either is abominable to God. (Both he who justifieth a wicked person, and he who condemneth a righteous person, be abominable to God.)

16 What profiteth it to a fool to have riches, since he may not buy wisdom? (since he cannot buy wisdom?) He that maketh his house high, seeketh falling; and he that escheweth to learn, shall fall into evils.

17 He that is a friend, loveth in all time; and a brother is proved in anguishes.

18 A fond man shall make joy with hands (A foolish person shall clap his hands, or shall rejoice), when he hath promised for his friend.

19 He that bethinketh discords, loveth chidings; and he that enhanceth his mouth, seeketh falling. (He who thinketh up discord, loveth arguments; and he who exalteth his own mouth, seeketh his own downfall.)

20 He that is of wayward heart, shall not find good; and he that (mis-)turneth the tongue, shall fall into evil.

21 A fool is born in his shame; but neither the father shall be glad in a fool. (A fool is born to his parents? shame; and the father shall never be glad, or have joy, over his foolish son.)

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.