Proverbs 14:16-26

16 ¹One who is wise is cautious^[a] and ²turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.

17 A man of ³quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 ⁴The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 ⁵The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, ⁶but the rich has many friends.

21 Whoever ⁷despises his neighbor is a sinner, but ⁸blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

22 Do they not go astray who ⁹devise evil? Those who devise good meet^[b]10steadfast love and faithfulness.

23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk ¹¹tends only to poverty.

24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.

25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who ¹²breathes out lies is deceitful.

26 In the fear of the LORD one has ¹³strong confidence, and ¹⁴his children will have ¹⁵a refuge.

Proverbs 14:16-26 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Cross References

• 1. [Proverbs 22:3; Proverbs 27:12]
• 2. [Proverbs 3:7]; See Job 28:28; Psalms 34:14
• 3. [ver. 29]
• 4. [Genesis 42:6; 1 Samuel 2:36]
• 5. Proverbs 19:7
• 6. Proverbs 19:4
• 7. Proverbs 11:12
• 8. Psalms 41:1
• 9. See Proverbs 3:29
• 10. Proverbs 3:3
• 11. [Proverbs 11:24; Proverbs 21:5; Proverbs 22:16]
• 12. ver. 5
• 13. [Proverbs 1:33]
• 14. [Psalms 73:15]
• 15. See Psalms 14:6

Footnotes

• [a]. Or fears [the Lord]
• [b]. Or show