Proverbs 14:1-34

1 Lady Wisdom builds a lovely home; Sir Fool comes along and tears it down brick by brick.

2 An honest life shows respect for God; a degenerate life is a slap in his face.

3 Frivolous talk provokes a derisive smile; wise speech evokes nothing but respect.

4 No cattle, no crops; a good harvest requires a strong ox for the plow.

5 A true witness never lies; a false witness makes a business of it.

6 Cynics look high and low for wisdom - and never find it; the open-minded find it right on their doorstep!

7 Escape quickly from the company of fools; they're a waste of your time, a waste of your words.

8 The wisdom of the wise keeps life on track; the foolishness of fools lands them in the ditch.

9 The stupid ridicule right and wrong, but a moral life is a favored life.

10 The person who shuns the bitter moments of friends will be an outsider at their celebrations.

11 Lives of careless wrongdoing are tumbledown shacks; holy living builds soaring cathedrals.

12 There's a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again - it leads straight to hell.

13 Sure, those people appear to be having a good time, but all that laughter will end in heartbreak. Sift and Weigh Every Word

14 A mean person gets paid back in meanness, a gracious person in grace.

15 The gullible believe anything they're told; the prudent sift and weigh every word.

16 The wise watch their steps and avoid evil; fools are headstrong and reckless.

17 The hotheaded do things they'll later regret; the coldhearted get the cold shoulder.

18 Foolish dreamers live in a world of illusion; wise realists plant their feet on the ground.

19 Eventually, evil will pay tribute to good; the wicked will respect God-loyal people.

20 An unlucky loser is shunned by all, but everyone loves a winner.

21 It's criminal to ignore a neighbor in need, but compassion for the poor - what a blessing!

22 Isn't it obvious that conspirators lose out, while the thoughtful win love and trust?

23 Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table.

24 The wise accumulate wisdom; fools get stupider by the day.

25 Souls are saved by truthful witness and betrayed by the spread of lies.

26 The Fear-of-God builds up confidence, and makes a world safe for your children.

27 The Fear-of-God is a spring of living water so you won't go off drinking from poisoned wells.

28 The mark of a good leader is loyal followers; leadership is nothing without a following.

29 Slowness to anger makes for deep understanding; a quick-tempered person stockpiles stupidity.

30 A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones.

31 You insult your Maker when you exploit the powerless; when you're kind to the poor, you honor God.

32 The evil of bad people leaves them out in the cold; the integrity of good people creates a safe place for living.

33 Lady Wisdom is at home in an understanding heart - fools never even get to say hello.

34 God-devotion makes a country strong; God-avoidance leaves people weak.

Proverbs 14:1-34 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.