Proverbs 21:21-31

21 Whoever ¹pursues righteousness and kindness will find ²life, righteousness, and honor.

22 ³A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

23 ⁴Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue ⁵keeps himself out of ⁶trouble.

24 ⁷"Scoffer" is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.

25 The desire of ⁸the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

26 All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous ⁹gives and does not hold back.

27 ¹⁰The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more ¹¹when he brings it with evil intent.

28 ¹²A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.

29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright ¹³gives thought to^[a] his ways.

30 ¹⁴No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.

31 ¹⁵The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but ¹⁶the victory belongs to the LORD.

Proverbs 21:21-31 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.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 15:9; Matthew 5:6; [Proverbs 3:3]
• 2. Proverbs 3:16; 1 Kings 3:11; Matthew 6:33; See Proverbs 4:22
• 3. [Proverbs 24:5; Ecclesiastes 7:19]; See 2 Samuel 5:6-9; Ecclesiastes 9:14-18
• 4. See Proverbs 13:3
• 5. Proverbs 22:5
• 6. Proverbs 12:13
• 7. Proverbs 1:22; See Psalms 1:1
• 8. [Proverbs 13:4]
• 9. See Psalms 37:26
• 10. Isaiah 66:3; See Proverbs 15:8
• 11. [Proverbs 24:9]
• 12. Proverbs 19:5, 9
• 13. Psalms 119:5
• 14. Isaiah 8:9, 10; 1 Corinthians 3:19, 20; [Proverbs 19:21]
• 15. [Psalms 20:7; Psalms 33:17; Isaiah 31:1]
• 16. Jeremiah 3:23

Footnotes

• [a]. Or establishes