Proverbs 14

The Wise Woman

1 Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

2 He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.

3 The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.

5 An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.

6 A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

7 Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

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

9 Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.

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

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

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

13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.

14 The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways.

15 The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.

16 A wise man fears ^[a] and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.

17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated.

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

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

20 The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich.

21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.

22 Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find ^[b] loving devotion and faithfulness.

23 There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

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

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

26 He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

28 A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.

29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.

30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

31 Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.

32 The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death.

33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known. ^[c]

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

35 A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.

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]. Or fears the LORD
• [b]. Or show
• [c]. Hebrew; LXX and Syriac but among fools she is not known

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.