Proverbs 14

1 A wise woman builds her house, while a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands.

2 Those who walk with integrity fear the LORD, but those who take a crooked path despise him.

3 Pride sprouts in the mouth of a fool, but the lips of the wise protect them.

4 When there are no oxen, the stall is clean, but when there is a strong bull, there is abundant produce.

5 A truthful witness doesn't lie, but a false witness spews lies.

6 A mocker searches for wisdom and gets none, but knowledge comes quickly to the intelligent.

7 Stay away from fools, for you won't learn wise speech there.

8 By their wisdom the prudent understand their way, but the stupidity of fools deceives them.

9 Fools mock a compensation offering, but favor is with those who do right.

10 The heart knows its own distress; another person can't share its joy.

11 The house of the wicked is destroyed, but the tent flourishes for those who do right.

12 There is a path that may seem straight to someone, but in the end it is a path to death.

13 The heart feels pain even in laughter, and in the end, joy turns to sorrow.

14 Rebellious hearts receive satisfaction from their ways; the good receive the due reward for their deeds.

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

16 The wise are careful and avoid evil, but fools become excited and overconfident.

17 Short-tempered people make stupid mistakes, and schemers are hated.

18 Stupidity is the lot of the naive, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 Evil people will bow down before the good; wicked people are at the gates of the righteous.

20 Even their neighbors hate the poor, but many love the wealthy.

21 Those who despise their neighbors are sinners, but happy are those who are kind to the needy.

22 Don't those who plan evil go astray? Those who plan good receive loyalty and faithfulness.

23 There is profit in hard work, but mere talk leads to poverty.

24 Wealth is the crown of the wise, and the folly of fools is folly.

25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a deceiver proclaims lies.

26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence and refuge for one's children.

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning people away from deathtraps.

28 A king's glory is a large population, but a dwindling people is a ruler's ruin.

29 Patience leads to abundant understanding, but impatience leads to stupid mistakes.

30 A peaceful mind gives life to the body, but jealousy rots the bones.

31 Those who exploit the powerless anger their maker, while those who are kind to the poor honor God.

32 The wicked are thrown down by their own evil, but the righteous find refuge even in death.

33 Wisdom resides in an understanding heart, but it's not known in fools.

34 Righteousness dignifies a nation, but sin disgraces a people.

35 The king favors an insightful servant, but is furious at a shameful one.

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb uncertain
• [b]. LXX; MT lacks not.

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.