Proverbs 14

1 The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.

2 Those who walk uprightly fear the Lord, but one who is devious in conduct despises him.

3 The talk of fools is a rod for their backs, but the lips of the wise preserve them.

4 Where there are no oxen, there is no grain; abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.

6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for one who understands.

7 Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not find words of knowledge.

8 It is the wisdom of the clever to understand where they go, but the folly of fools misleads.

9 Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy God's favor.

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

11 The house of the wicked is destroyed, but the tent of the upright flourishes.

12 There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.

13 Even in laughter the heart is sad, and the end of joy is grief.

14 The perverse get what their ways deserve, and the good, what their deeds deserve.

15 The simple believe everything, but the clever consider their steps.

16 The wise are cautious and turn away from evil, but the fool throws off restraint and is careless.

17 One who is quick-tempered acts foolishly, and the schemer is hated.

18 The simple are adorned with folly, but the clever are crowned with knowledge.

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

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

21 Those who despise their neighbors are sinners, but happy are those who are kind to the poor.

22 Do they not err that plan evil? Those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.

23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The crown of the wise is their wisdom, but folly is the garland of fools.

25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is a betrayer.

26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and one's children will have a refuge.

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, so that one may avoid the snares of death.

28 The glory of a king is a multitude of people; without people a prince is ruined.

29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

30 A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh, but passion makes the bones rot.

31 Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him.

32 The wicked are overthrown by their evildoing, but the righteous find a refuge in their integrity.

33 Wisdom is at home in the mind of one who has understanding, but it is not known in the heart of fools.

34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

35 A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb [Wisdom of women]
• [b]. Cn: Heb [a rod of pride]
• [c]. Meaning of Heb uncertain
• [d]. Heb [ways of death]
• [e]. Cn: Heb [from upon him]
• [f]. Or [inherit]
• [g]. Cn Compare Gk: Heb [riches]
• [h]. Cn: Heb [is the folly]
• [i]. Gk Syr: Heb [in their death]
• [j]. Gk Syr: Heb lacks [not]

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.