Proverbs 21:8-18

8 The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is right.

9 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious wife.

10 The souls of the wicked desire evil; their neighbors find no mercy in their eyes.

11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple become wiser; when the wise are instructed, they increase in knowledge.

12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he casts the wicked down to ruin.

13 If you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard.

14 A gift in secret averts anger; and a concealed bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.

15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.

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

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.

Proverbs 21:8-18 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.