Proverbios 14

1 La mujer sabia edifica su casa; mas la loca con sus manos la derriba

2 El que camina en su rectitud teme al SEÑOR; mas el pervertido en sus caminos lo menosprecia

3 En la boca del loco está la vara de la soberbia; mas los labios de los sabios los guardarán

4 Sin bueyes el alfolí está limpio; mas por la fuerza del buey hay abundancia de pan

5 El testigo verdadero no mentirá; mas el testigo falso hablará mentiras

6 El burlador buscó la sabiduría, y no la halló; mas la sabiduría al hombre entendido viene fácil

7 Vete de delante del hombre loco, pues no le conociste labios de ciencia

8 La sabiduría del cuerdo es entender su camino; mas la locura de los locos es engaño

9 Los locos se burlan del pecado; mas entre los rectos hay amor

10 El corazón conoce la amargura de su alma; y extraño no se entremeterá en su alegría

11 La casa de los impíos será asolada; mas la tienda de los rectos florecerá

12 Hay camino que al hombre parece derecho; pero su fin es camino de muerte

13 Aun en la risa el burlador tendrá dolor en el corazón; y el término de aquella alegría es congoja

14 De sus caminos será harto el desviado de corazón; y el hombre de bien será apartado de él

15 El simple cree a toda palabra; mas el entendido entiende sus pasos

16 El sabio teme, y se aparta del mal; mas el loco se arrebata, y confía

17 El que presto se enoja, hará locura; y el hombre malicioso será aborrecido

18 Los simples heredarán la locura; mas los cuerdos se coronarán de sabiduría

19 Los malos se inclinarán delante de los buenos, y los impíos a las puertas del justo

20 El pobre es odioso aun a su amigo; pero muchos son los que aman al rico

21 El pecador menosprecia a su prójimo; mas el que tiene misericordia de los pobres, es bienaventurado

22 ¿No yerran los que piensan mal? Pero los que piensan bien alcanzarán misericordia y verdad

23 En toda labor hay fruto; mas el hablar y no hacer, empobrece

24 La corona de los sabios es su sabiduría; mas lo que distingue a los locos es su locura

25 El testigo verdadero libra las almas; mas el engañoso hablará mentiras

26 En el temor del SEÑOR está la fuerte confianza; y allí sus hijos tendrán esperanza

27 El temor del SEÑOR es manantial de vida, para ser apartado de los lazos de la muerte

28 En la multitud del pueblo está la gloria del rey; y en la falta del pueblo la flaqueza del príncipe

29 El que tarde se aíra, es grande de inteligencia; mas el corto de espíritu engrandece la locura

30 El corazón apacible es vida a la carne; mas la envidia, pudrimiento de huesos

31 El que oprime al pobre, afrenta a su Hacedor; mas el que tiene misericordia del pobre, lo honra

32 Por su maldad será lanzado el impío; mas el justo en su muerte tiene esperanza

33 En el corazón del cuerdo reposará la sabiduría; y es dado a conocer en medio de los locos

34 La justicia engrandece un pueblo; mas el pecado es afrenta de las naciones

35 La benevolencia del rey es para con el siervo entendido; mas su enojo contra el que lo avergüenza

Proverbios 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.