Mishle 14

1 4 Chachmot nashim buildeth her bais, but the foolish pulleth it down with her hands.

2 He that walketh in his yashar feareth Hashem, but he that is devious in his drakhim despiseth Him.

3 In the peh (mouth) of the fool is a rod of ga’avah (pride), but the sfatayim (lips) of the chachamim shall be shomer over them and preserve them.

4 Where no oxen are, the evus (feeding trough) is clean, but much increase is by the ko’ach of the shor (ox).

5 An ed emunim will not lie, but an ed sheker will utter lies.

6 A scoffer seeketh chochmah, and findeth it not, but da’as cometh easily unto him that is discerning.

7 Go from the presence of an ish kesil, when thou perceivest not in him the sfatayim (lips) of da’as (knowledge).

8 The chochmah of the prudent is to understand his derech, but the folly of kesilim is mirmah (deceit).

9 Fools mock at guilt, but among the yesharim (upright ones) there is ratzon (favor).

10 The lev knoweth its own bitterness, and a zar (stranger) doth not share its simchah.

11 The bais of the resha’im shall be shmad, but the ohel of the yesharim shall flourish.

12 There is a derech (road) which seemeth yashar (right) unto an ish, but the acharit (latter end, future) thereof are the drakhim of mavet.

13 Even in sekhok (laughter) the lev is sad, and the acharit (latter end) of that simchah is grief.

14 The sug (backslider, faithless one) in lev is filled with his own drakhim (roads), but an ish tov shall be satisfied from above himself.

15 The naive believeth every davar, but the prudent looketh with care to his steps.

16 A chacham feareth, and departeth from rah, but the kesil throweth off restraint and is arrogantly reckless.

17 He that is quicktempered dealeth folly, and an ish mezimot (a man of crafty schemes) is hated.

18 The naive inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with da’as.

19 The ra’im will bow before the tov’im, and the resha’im at the she’arim of the tzaddik.

20 The poor is hated even by his own re’a (neighbor), but the oisher hath many friends.

21 He that despiseth his re’a sinneth, but he that is kind to the anayim (needy ones), happy is he.

22 Do they not go astray that plot rah? But chesed and emes shall be to them that plan tov.

23 In all hard work there is profit, but idle chatter of the sfatayim (lips) tendeth only to makhsor (poverty, want).

24 The ateret chachamim is their riches, but the foolishness of kesilim is folly.

25 An ed emes (true witness) saveth nefashot (souls, lives), but a lying witness is a betrayer.

26 In the Yirat Hashem is strong confidence, and his banim shall have a place of refuge.

27 The Yirat Hashem is a makor chayyim (fountain of life) to turn one away from the snares of mavet.

28 In the multitude of people is the glory of a melech, but in the lack of subjects is the ruin of the prince.

29 He that is slow to wrath is of rav tevunah (great understanding), but he that is angrily impulsive exalteth folly.

30 A lev marpeh (sound mind) is life to the basar, but kinah (envy) is the rottenness of the atzmot (bones).

31 He that oppresseth the dal (poor) showeth contempt for his Oseh (Maker), but he that honoreth Him is kind to the evyon (needy).

32 The reshah is banished in his ra’ah, but the tzaddik hath refuge in his mot (death).

33 In the lev of the discerning reposes chochmah, but that which is in kesilim is made known.

34 Tzedakah exalteth a nation, but chattat (sin) is a reproach to any people.

35 The ratzon melech (king’s favor) is toward an eved maskil (a wise servant), but his wrath is against him that bringeth shame.

Mishle 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.