Proverbs 14:18-28

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

19 ¹The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 ²The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, ³but the rich has many friends.

21 Whoever ⁴despises his neighbor is a sinner, but ⁵blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

22 Do they not go astray who ⁶devise evil? Those who devise good meet^[a]7steadfast love and faithfulness.

23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk ⁸tends 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 ⁹breathes out lies is deceitful.

26 In the fear of the LORD one has ¹⁰strong confidence, and ¹¹his children will have ¹²a refuge.

27 The fear of the LORD is ¹³a fountain of life, that one may ¹⁴turn away from the snares of death.

28 In ¹⁵a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined.

Proverbs 14:18-28 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. [Genesis 42:6; 1 Samuel 2:36]
• 2. Proverbs 19:7
• 3. Proverbs 19:4
• 4. Proverbs 11:12
• 5. Psalms 41:1
• 6. See Proverbs 3:29
• 7. Proverbs 3:3
• 8. [Proverbs 11:24; Proverbs 21:5; Proverbs 22:16]
• 9. ver. 5
• 10. [Proverbs 1:33]
• 11. [Psalms 73:15]
• 12. See Psalms 14:6
• 13. See Proverbs 10:11
• 14. See Proverbs 13:14
• 15. [1 Kings 4:20]

Footnotes

• [a]. Or show