Proverbs 21:16-26

16 People who wander from the path of insight will rest in the company of the dead.

17 Those who love pleasure end up poor; lovers of wine and oil won't get rich.

18 The wicked are a ransom for the righteous; the treacherous will be punished in the place of the virtuous.

19 Better to live in a wilderness than in a house with a contentious and angry woman.

20 Precious treasure and oil stay in the home of the wise, but fools swallow them up.

21 Those who pursue righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

22 A wise person fought a city of warriors and brought down the stronghold in which they felt safe.

23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues guard themselves from trouble.

24 Incredibly proud—mockers are their name! Their conduct involves excessive pride.

25 The desires of the lazy will kill them, because their hands refuse to do anything.

26 The lazy desire things constantly, but the righteous give without holding back.

Proverbs 21:16-26 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]. Heb lacks will be punished.