Proverbs 17:14-24

14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so ¹quit before the quarrel breaks out.

15 He who ²justifies the wicked and he who ³condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.

16 Why should a fool have money in his hand ⁴to buy wisdom when he has no sense?

17 ⁵A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18 One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.

19 Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who ⁶makes his door high seeks destruction.

20 ⁷A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.

21 He who ⁸sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.

22 ⁹A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit ¹⁰dries up the bones.

23 The wicked accepts ¹¹a bribe in secret^[a] to ¹²pervert the ways of justice.

24 ¹³The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17:14-24 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.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 20:3; Proverbs 25:8
• 2. Proverbs 24:24; Exodus 23:7; Isaiah 5:23
• 3. Job 34:17; Psalms 94:21; [ver. 26; Proverbs 18:5]
• 4. [Proverbs 23:23]
• 5. Proverbs 18:24; Proverbs 27:10; [Ruth 1:16; Job 6:14]
• 6. [Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 29:23]
• 7. [Proverbs 11:20]
• 8. Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 19:13
• 9. See Proverbs 15:13
• 10. Psalms 22:15; [Proverbs 12:25]
• 11. See ver. 8
• 12. [Micah 3:11; Micah 7:3]
• 13. [Proverbs 14:6; Proverbs 15:14; Ecclesiastes 2:14]; See Deuteronomy 30:11-14

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew a bribe from the bosom