Proverbs 17:16-26

16 Why would a fool wish to pay for wisdom when he has no desire to learn?

17 A friend shows his friendship at all times -it is for adversity that [such] a brother is born.

18 He who gives his hand to guarantee a loan for his neighbor lacks good sense.

19 Those who love quarreling love giving offense; those who make their gates tall are courting disaster.

20 A crooked-hearted person will find nothing good, and the perverse of speech will end in calamity.

21 He who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow, and the father of a boor has no joy.

22 A happy heart is good medicine, but low spirits sap one's strength.

23 From under a cloak a bad man takes a bribe to pervert the course of justice.

24 The discerning person focuses on wisdom there before him, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

25 A son who is a fool means anger for his father and bitterness for the mother who gave him birth.

26 To punish the innocent is not right, likewise to flog noble people for their uprightness.

Proverbs 17:16-26 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.