Proverbs 14:10-21

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief.

14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs.

15 The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.

16 The wise fear the LORD and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

17 A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

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

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.

Proverbs 14:10-21 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. S Job 8:22; Proverbs 21:12
• 2. S Psalms 72:7; S Proverbs 3:33; S Proverbs 12:7
• 3. S Proverbs 12:15
• 4. Proverbs 16:25
• 5. Ecclesiastes 2:2; Ecclesiastes 7:3,6
• 6. S Proverbs 1:31
• 7. S 2 Chronicles 15:7; Proverbs 12:14
• 8. S ver 8
• 9. S Exodus 20:20; Proverbs 22:3
• 10. S 1 Samuel 25:25
• 11. S 2 Kings 5:12
• 12. ver 29; Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 16:28; Proverbs 26:21; Proverbs 28:25; Proverbs 29:22
• 13. S Esther 5:9
• 14. Proverbs 11:29
• 15. Proverbs 19:4,7
• 16. Proverbs 11:12
• 17. Psalms 41:1; Proverbs 19:17