Proverbs 21:14-24

14 A gift in secret will avert {anger}, and a {concealed bribe}, strong wrath.

15 [It is] a joy to the righteous to do justice, but dismay to those who do evil.

16 Whoever wanders from the way of understanding, in the assembly of the dead he will rest.

17 A man of want [is] he who loves pleasure; he who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

18 A ransom for the righteous is the wicked, and [the] faithless instead of the upright.

19 Better to live in a land of wilderness than [with] a wife of quarrels and provocation.

20 Precious treasure and oil [are] in the house of the wise, but the foolish person will devour them.

21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

22 To a city of warriors, the wise ascends, and he will bring down the stronghold--its object of trust.

23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue, he guards his life from danger.

24 The proud, haughty one: "scoffer" [is] his name; he acts with arrogance of pride.

Proverbs 21:14-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 9

This chapter relates a second vision Solomon had at Gibeon, in which he received an answer to his prayer in the preceding chapter, 1Ki 9:1-9 that passed between him and Hiram king of Tyre, 1Ki 9:10-14, the places that Solomon built or repaired, 1Ki 9:15-19, the Canaanitish people that became bondmen to him, and the officers he had among the children of Israel, 1Ki 9:20-23 the removal of Pharaoh's daughter to the house built for her, 1Ki 9:24. Solomon's attention to religious services, 1Ki 9:25 and the navy of ships he employed, which brought him in great riches, 1Ki 9:26-28.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew "the secret"
• [b]. Literally "nostril"
• [c]. Literally "bribe in the bosom"
• [d]. Or "Rephaim"
• [e]. Or "fat"
• [f]. Or "foolish of mankind"
• [g]. Literally "it"
• [h]. Or "soul," or "inner self"