Proverbs 21:16-26

16 The man who strays from the way of wisdom will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.^[a]

17 The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.^[b]

18 The wicked are a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous, for^[c] the upright.^[d]

19 Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.^[e]

20 Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.^{[f] [g]}

21 The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor.^[h]

22 The wise conquer a city of warriors and bring down its mighty fortress.^[i]

23 The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.^[j]

24 The proud and arrogant person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive pride.^[k]

25 A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work.^[l]

26 He is filled with craving^[m] all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back.^[n]

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]. Pr 2:18; 9:18
• [b]. Ec 2:1-3,10-11
• [c]. Or in place of
• [d]. Pr 11:8
• [e]. Pr 15:16-17; 17:1; 21:9; 25:24
• [f]. Lit it
• [g]. Pr 10:4; 28:20; Mt 25:1-13
• [h]. Pr 3:16; 8:18; Mt 6:33
• [i]. Pr 14:26
• [j]. Pr 12:13; 13:3
• [k]. Pr 21:11
• [l]. Pr 10:4; 12:24; 19:15,24
• [m]. Lit He craves a craving
• [n]. Pr 11:24-25