Proverbs 14:13-23

13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and ¹the end of joy may be ²grief.

14 The backslider in heart will be ³filled with the fruit of his ways, and ⁴a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.

15 ⁵The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.

16 ⁶One who is wise is cautious^[a] and ⁷turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.

17 A man of ⁸quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.

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

19 ⁹The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 ¹⁰The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, ¹¹but the rich has many friends.

21 Whoever ¹²despises his neighbor is a sinner, but ¹³blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

22 Do they not go astray who ¹⁴devise evil? Those who devise good meet^[b]15steadfast love and faithfulness.

23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk ¹⁶tends only to poverty.

Proverbs 14:13-23 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. [Ecclesiastes 2:2; Luke 6:25]
• 2. Proverbs 10:1
• 3. [Proverbs 1:31; Matthew 6:2, 5]
• 4. Proverbs 12:14; Isaiah 3:10
• 5. See Proverbs 1:4
• 6. [Proverbs 22:3; Proverbs 27:12]
• 7. [Proverbs 3:7]; See Job 28:28; Psalms 34:14
• 8. [ver. 29]
• 9. [Genesis 42:6; 1 Samuel 2:36]
• 10. Proverbs 19:7
• 11. Proverbs 19:4
• 12. Proverbs 11:12
• 13. Psalms 41:1
• 14. See Proverbs 3:29
• 15. Proverbs 3:3
• 16. [Proverbs 11:24; Proverbs 21:5; Proverbs 22:16]

Footnotes

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