Proverbs 14:2-12

2 Whoever ¹walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is ²devious in his ways despises him.

3 By the mouth of a fool comes ³a rod for his back,^{[a] 4}but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

5 ⁵A faithful witness does not lie, but ⁶a false witness breathes out lies.

6 ⁷A scoffer seeks wisdom ⁸in vain, but ⁹knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.

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

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.

9 ¹⁰Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance.^[b]

10 The heart knows its own ¹¹bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.

11 ¹²The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12 ¹³There is a way that seems right to a man, but ¹⁴its end is the way to death.^[c]

Proverbs 14:2-12 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 19:1; Proverbs 28:6
• 2. Proverbs 2:15
• 3. [Jeremiah 18:18]
• 4. Proverbs 12:6
• 5. [Exodus 23:1]
• 6. See Proverbs 6:19
• 7. [Proverbs 24:7]
• 8. [Psalms 25:9; 1 Peter 5:5]
• 9. [Proverbs 8:9; Proverbs 15:14; Proverbs 17:24]
• 10. [Proverbs 10:23]
• 11. [1 Samuel 1:10]; See Job 3:20
• 12. [Proverbs 3:33; Proverbs 15:25; Job 8:15; Job 21:28]
• 13. Proverbs 16:25; See Proverbs 12:15
• 14. [Proverbs 5:5; Romans 6:21]; See Proverbs 7:27

Footnotes

• [a]. Or In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride
• [b]. Hebrew but among the upright is acceptance
• [c]. Hebrew ways of death