Proverbs 14

1 A wise woman strengthens her family, but a foolish woman destroys hers by what she does.

2 People who live good lives respect the Lord, but those who live evil lives don't.

3 Fools will be punished for their proud words, but the words of the wise will protect them.

4 When there are no oxen, no food is in the barn. But with a strong ox, much grain can be grown.

5 A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness tells nothing but lies.

6 Those who make fun of wisdom look for it and do not find it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.

7 Stay away from fools, because they can't teach you anything.

8 A wise person will understand what to do, but a foolish person is dishonest.

9 Fools don't care if they sin, but honest people work at being right.

10 No one else can know your sadness, and strangers cannot share your joy.

11 The wicked person's house will be destroyed, but a good person's tent will still be standing.

12 Some people think they are doing right, but in the end it leads to death.

13 Someone who is laughing may be sad inside, and joy may end in sadness.

14 Evil people will be paid back for their evil ways, and good people will be rewarded for their good ones.

15 Fools will believe anything, but the wise think about what they do.

16 Wise people are careful and stay out of trouble, but fools are careless and quick to act.

17 Someone with a quick temper does foolish things, but someone with understanding remains calm.

18 Fools are rewarded with nothing but more foolishness, but the wise are rewarded with knowledge.

19 Evil people will bow down to those who are good; the wicked will bow down at the door of those who do right.

20 The poor are rejected, even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.

21 It is a sin to hate your neighbor, but being kind to the needy brings happiness.

22 Those who make evil plans will be ruined, but those who plan to do good will be loved and trusted.

23 Those who work hard make a profit, but those who only talk will be poor.

24 Wise people are rewarded with wealth, but fools only get more foolishness.

25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.

26 Those who respect the Lord will have security, and their children will be protected.

27 Respect for the Lord gives life. It is like a fountain that can save people from death.

28 A king is honored when he has many people to rule, but a prince is ruined if he has none.

29 Patient people have great understanding, but people with quick tempers show their foolishness.

30 Peace of mind means a healthy body, but jealousy will rot your bones.

31 Whoever mistreats the poor insults their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

32 The wicked are ruined by their own evil, but those who do right are protected even in death.

33 Wisdom lives in those with understanding, and even fools recognize it.

34 Doing what is right makes a nation great, but sin will bring disgrace to any people.

35 A king is pleased with a wise servant, but he will become angry with one who causes him 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.

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.