Proverbs 14

1 Every wise woman builds up her home, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

2 A person with upright conduct fears ADONAI, but a person who is devious scorns him.

3 From the mouth of a fool sprouts pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.

4 Where there are no oxen, the stalls are clean; but much is produced by the strength of an ox.

5 An honest witness will not lie, but a false witness lies with every breath.

6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge comes easily to someone with discernment.

7 Keep clear of a fool, for you won't hear a sensible word from him.

8 The wisdom of the cautious makes him know where he is going, but the folly of fools misleads them.

9 Guilt offerings make a mockery of fools; but among the upright there is good will.

10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger can share its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12 There can be a way which seems right to a person, but at its end are the ways of death.

13 Even in laughter the heart can be sad, and joy may end in sorrow.

14 A backslider is filled up with his own ways, but a good person gets satisfaction from himself.

15 One who doesn't think believes every word, but the cautious understands his steps.

16 A wise person fears and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and overconfident.

17 He who is quick-tempered does stupid things, and one who does vile things is hated.

18 Thoughtless people inherit folly, but the cautious are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor are disliked even by their peers, but the rich have many friends.

21 He who despises his fellow sins, but he who shows compassion to the humble is happy.

22 Won't those who plot evil go astray? But grace and truth are for those who plan good.

23 In all work there is profit, but mere talk produces only poverty.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools is just that - folly.

25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a liar misdirects [judgment].

26 In the fear of ADONAI is powerful security; for his children there will be a place of refuge.

27 The fear of ADONAI is a fountain of life enabling one to avoid deadly traps.

28 A king's glory lies in having many subjects; if the prince's people are few, it is his ruin.

29 Being slow to anger goes with great understanding, being quick-tempered makes folly still worse.

30 A tranquil mind gives health to the body, but envy rots the bones.

31 The oppressor of the poor insults his maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.

32 The wicked are brought down by their wrongdoing, but the righteous can be confident even at death.

33 Wisdom is at rest in a person with discernment, but in fools it has to call attention to itself.

34 Righteousness makes a nation great, but sin degrades any people.

35 A king shows favor to a servant with good sense, but his wrath strikes one who shames [him].

Proverbs 14 Commentary

Chapter 14

Verse 1 A woman who has no fear of God, who is wilful and wasteful, and indulges her ease, will as certainly ruin her family, as if she plucked her house down. Verse 2 . Here are grace and sin in their true colours. Those that despise God's precepts and promises, despise God and all his power and mercy. Verse 3 . Pride grows from that root of bitterness which is in the heart. The root must be plucked up, or we cannot conquer this branch. The prudent words of wise men get them out of difficulties. Verse 4 . There can be no advantage without something which, though of little moment, will affright the indolent. Verse 5 . A conscientious witness will not dare to represent anything otherwise than according to his knowledge. Verse 6 . A scorner treats Divine things with contempt. He that feels his ignorance and unworthiness will search the Scriptures in a humble spirit. Verse 7 . We discover a wicked man if there is no savour of piety in his discourse. Verse 8 . We are travellers, whose concern is, not to spy out wonders, but to get to their journey's end; to understand the rules we are to walk by, also the ends we are to walk toward. The bad man cheats himself, and goes on in his mistake. Verse 9 . Foolish and profane men consider sin a mere trifle, to be made light of rather than mourned over. Fools mock at the sin-offering; but those that make light of sin, make light of Christ. Verse 10 . We do not know what stings of conscience, or consuming passions, torment the prosperous sinner. Nor does the world know the peace of mind a serious Christian enjoys, even in poverty and sickness. Verse 11 . Sin ruins many great families; whilst righteousness often raises and strengthens even mean families. Verse 12 . The ways of carelessness, of worldliness, and of sensuality, seem right to those that walk in them; but self-deceivers prove self-destroyers. See the vanity of carnal mirth. Verse 14 . Of all sinners backsliders will have the most terror when they reflect on their own ways. Verse 15 . Eager readiness to believe what others say, has ever proved mischievous. The whole world was thus ruined at first. The man who is spiritually wise, depends on the Saviour alone for acceptance. He is watchful against the enemies of his salvation, by taking heed to God's word. Verse 16 . Holy fear guards against every thing unholy. Verse 17 . An angry man is to be pitied as well as blamed; but the revengeful is more hateful. Verse 18 . Sin is the shame of sinners; but wisdom is the honour of the wise. Verse 19 . Even bad men acknowledge the excellency of God's people. Verse 20 . Friendship in the world is governed by self-interest. It is good to have God our Friend; he will not desert us. Verse 21 . To despise a man for his employment or appearance is a sin. Verse 22 . How wisely those consult their own interest, who not only do good, but devise it! Verse 23 . Labour of the head, or of the hand, will turn to some good account. But if men's religion runs all out in talk and noise, they will come to nothing. Verse 24 . The riches of men of wisdom and piety enlarge their usefulness. Verse 25 . An upright man will venture the ( proverbs 14:26-27 ) Those who fear the Lord so as to obey and serve him, have a strong ground of confidence, and will be preserved. Let us seek to this Fountain of life, that we may escape the snares of death. Verse 28 . Let all that wish well to the kingdom of Christ, do what they can, that many may be added to his church. Verse 29 . A mild, patient man is one that learns of Christ, who is Wisdom itself. Unbridled passion is folly made known. Verse 30 . An upright, contented, and benevolent mind, tends to health. Verse 31 . To oppress the poor is to reproach our Creator. Verse 32 . The wicked man has his soul forced from him; he dies in his sins, under the guilt and power of them. But godly men, though they have pain and some dread of death, have the blessed hope, which God, who cannot lie, has given them. Verse 33 . Wisdom possesses the heart, and thus regulates the affections and tempers. Verse 34 . Piety and holiness always promote industry, sobriety, and honesty. Verse 35 . The great King who reigns over heaven and earth, will reward faithful servants who honour his gospel by the proper discharge of the duties of their stations: he despises not the services of the lowest.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 4

As in the preceding chapter we have a proof of the wisdom and understanding which the Lord gave to Solomon, as promised, so in this an account is given of the riches and honour he was possessed of; of him, as king over all Israel, and of his princes, 1Ki 4:1-6; of the providers of food for his household in the several parts of the land, 1Ki 4:7-19; of the largeness and extent of his dominions, and of the peace and prosperity thereof, 1Ki 4:20,21,24,25; of his daily provisions for his household and for his cattle, 1Ki 4:22,23,26-28; and of his superior wisdom and knowledge to all others in all nations, which brought some out of all to hear it, 1Ki 4:29-34.