Proverbs 16:21-33

21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.^[a]

22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.

23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.^[b]

24 Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

26 The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.

27 A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.

28 A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

29 A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good.

30 Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.

32 Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

Proverbs 16:21-33 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 6

This chapter gives an account of the building of the temple, for which preparations were before made and begins with the time of its building, 1Ki 6:1; gives the dimensions of it and the porch before it, 1Ki 6:2,3; observes the windows in it and chambers about it, 1Ki 6:4-10; and while it was building, Solomon had a word from the Lord relative to it, 1Ki 6:11-14; and then the account goes on concerning the walls of the house, and the flooring of it, 1Ki 6:15-18; and the oracle in it, and the cherubim in that, 1Ki 6:19-30; and the doors into it, and the carved work of them, 1Ki 6:31-36; and the chapter is concluded with observing the time when it was begun and finished 1Ki 6:37,38.

Cross References

• 1. ver 23
• 2. S Proverbs 10:11; Proverbs 13:14
• 3. Job 15:5
• 4. ver 21
• 5. S 1 Samuel 14:27
• 6. Proverbs 24:13-14
• 7. S Proverbs 12:15
• 8. Esther 3:6; Proverbs 14:12
• 9. S Psalms 140:2
• 10. James 3:6
• 11. S Proverbs 14:17; Proverbs 15:18
• 12. Proverbs 17:9
• 13. S Proverbs 1:10; Proverbs 12:26
• 14. S Proverbs 6:13
• 15. Proverbs 20:29
• 16. S Leviticus 16:8; S 1 Samuel 10:21; Ezekiel 21:21
• 17. 1 Samuel 14:41
• 18. Joshua 7:14; Proverbs 18:18; Proverbs 29:26; John 1:7

Footnotes

• [a] Or "words make a person persuasive"
• [b] Or "prudent" / "and make their lips persuasive"