Proverbs 21:17-27

17 Whoever loves pleasure will suffer want; whoever loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.

19 It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful wife.

20 Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise, but the fool devours it.

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor.

22 One wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down the stronghold in which they trusted.

23 To watch over mouth and tongue is to keep out of trouble.

24 The proud, haughty person, named "Scoffer," acts with arrogant pride.

25 The craving of the lazy person is fatal, for lazy hands refuse to labor.

26 All day long the wicked covet, but the righteous give and do not hold back.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when brought with evil intent.

Proverbs 21:17-27 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]. Gk: Heb [and oil]
• [b]. Gk: Heb [life and righteousness]
• [c]. Gk: Heb [all day long one covets covetously]