Proverbs 14

1 The wisdom of women buildeth their house; but folly plucketh it down with her hands.

2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth Jehovah; but he that is perverted in his ways despiseth him.

3 In the fool's mouth is a rod of pride; but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

5 A faithful witness will not lie; but a false witness uttereth lies.

6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and there is none [for him]; but knowledge is easy unto the intelligent.

7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, in whom thou perceivest not the lips of knowledge.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way; but the folly of the foolish is deceit.

9 Fools make a mock at trespass; but for the upright there is favour.

10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness, and a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.

11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown; but the tent of the upright shall flourish.

12 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death.

13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of mirth is sadness.

14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways, and the good man from what is in himself.

15 The simple believeth every word; but the prudent [man] heedeth his going.

16 A wise [man] feareth and departeth from evil; but the foolish is overbearing and confident.

17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly, and a man of mischievous devices 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 [man].

20 He that is poor is hated even of his own neighbour; but the rich hath many friends.

21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth; but he that is gracious to the afflicted, happy is he.

22 Do they not err that devise evil? but loving-kindness and truth are for those that devise good.

23 In all labour there is profit; but the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to want.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches; the folly of the foolish is folly.

25 A true witness delivereth souls; but deceit uttereth lies.

26 In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.

27 The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, to turn away from the snares of death.

28 In the multitude of people is the king's glory; but in the lack of people is the ruin of a prince.

29 He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh; but envy the rottenness of the bones.

31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; but he that honoureth Him is gracious to the needy.

32 The wicked is driven away by his evil-doing; but the righteous trusteth, [even] in his death.

33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of the intelligent [man]; but that which is in the foolish maketh itself known.

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to peoples.

35 The king's favour is toward a wise servant; but his wrath is [against] him that causeth shame.

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]. See chs. 2.15; 3.32.
• [b]. As ch. 6.19; so ver. 25; ch. 19.5,9.
• [c]. Lit. 'among.'
• [d]. Or 'good-will.'
• [e]. Or 'discerneth.'
• [f]. Lit. 'lovers.'
• [g]. Or 'meek.'
• [h]. Or 'meditate.'
• [i]. Or 'ruler,' as ch. 8.15.
• [j]. Or 'tranquil,' 'placid.'
• [k]. Or 'in his calamity.'
• [l]. Or 'is full of confidence.'
• [m]. Or 'disgrace.'
• [n]. Leummim: see Ps. 2.1.

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.