Proverbs 14:21-31

21 He who ¹despises his neighbor sins, But ²happy is he who is gracious to the poor.

22 Will they not go astray who ³devise evil? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.

23 In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The ⁴crown of the wise is their riches, But the folly of fools is foolishness.

25 A truthful witness saves lives, But he who ⁵utters lies is treacherous.

26 In the ⁶fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge.

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.

28 In a multitude of people is a king's glory, But in the dearth of people is a prince's ruin.

29 He who is ⁷slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered * exalts folly.

30 A ⁸tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is ⁹rottenness to the bones.

31 He ¹⁰who oppresses the poor taunts ¹¹his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.

Proverbs 14:21-31 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 11:12
• 2. Psalms 41:1; Proverbs 19:17; Proverbs 28:8
• 3. Psalms 36:4; Proverbs 3:29; Proverbs 12:2; Micah 2:1
• 4. Proverbs 10:22; Proverbs 13:8; Proverbs 21:20
• 5. Proverbs 14:5
• 6. Proverbs 18:10; Proverbs 19:23; Isaiah 33:6
• 7. Proverbs 16:32; Proverbs 19:11; Ecclesiastes 7:9; James 1:19
• 8. Proverbs 15:13
• 9. Proverbs 12:4; Habakkuk 3:16
• 10. Proverbs 17:5; Matthew 25:40; 1 John 3:17
• 11. Job 31:15; Proverbs 22:2

Footnotes

• [a] Or "afflicted"
• [b] Lit "word of lips"
• [c] Lit "breathes out"
• [d] Lit "treachery"
• [e] Or "reverence"
• [f] Or "His"
• [g] Or "reverence"
• [h] Lit "short of spirit"