Proverbs 14:25-35

25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who ¹breathes out lies is deceitful.

26 In the fear of the Lord one has ²strong confidence, and ³his children will have ⁴a refuge.

27 The fear of the Lord is ⁵a fountain of life, that one may ⁶turn away from the snares of death.

28 In ⁷a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined.

29 Whoever is ⁸slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

30 A tranquil^[a] heart gives ⁹life to the flesh, but ¹⁰envy^[b] makes ¹¹the bones rot.

31 Whoever oppresses a poor man ¹²insults his ¹³Maker, ¹⁴but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

32 ¹⁵The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but ¹⁶the righteous finds refuge in his death.

33 Wisdom ¹⁷rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools. ^[c]

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

35 A servant who deals wisely has ¹⁸the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

Proverbs 14:25-35 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. 14:25 ver. 5
• 2. 14:26 [ch. 1:33]
• 3. 14:26 [Ps. 73:15]
• 4. 14:26 See Ps. 14:6
• 5. 14:27 See ch. 10:11
• 6. 14:27 See ch. 13:14
• 7. 14:28 [1 Kgs. 4:20]
• 8. 14:29 ch. 16:32; 19:11; [ver. 17; Eccles. 7:9; James 1:19]
• 9. 14:30 See ch. 4:22
• 10. 14:30 [Ps. 112:10]
• 11. 14:30 ch. 12:4
• 12. 14:31 ch. 17:5; [Matt. 25:40, 45]
• 13. 14:31 ch. 22:2; See Job 35:10
• 14. 14:31 ch. 28:8
• 15. 14:32 ch. 24:16
• 16. 14:32 Gen. 49:18; Ps. 16:11; 17:15; 23:4; 2 Cor. 1:9; 5:8; 2 Tim. 4:18; [Num. 23:10]; See Job 19:25-27
• 17. 14:33 Eccles. 7:9; ch. 12:16; 29:11
• 18. 14:35 [ch. 16:13; 22:11]; See Matt. 24:45-47

Footnotes

• [a] 14:30 Or 'healing'
• [b] 14:30 Or 'jealousy'
• [c] 14:33 Or 'Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of a man of understanding, but makes itself known in the midst of fools'