Proverbes 14

1 La femme sage bâtit sa maison, Et la femme insensée la renverse de ses propres mains.

2 Celui qui marche dans la droiture craint l'Eternel, Mais celui qui prend des voies tortueuses le méprise.

3 Dans la bouche de l'insensé est une verge pour son orgueil, Mais les lèvres des sages les gardent.

4 S'il n'y a pas de boeufs, la crèche est vide; C'est à la vigueur des boeufs qu'on doit l'abondance des revenus.

5 Un témoin fidèle ne ment pas, Mais un faux témoin dit des mensonges.

6 Le moqueur cherche la sagesse et ne la trouve pas, Mais pour l'homme intelligent la science est chose facile.

7 Eloigne-toi de l'insensé; Ce n'est pas sur ses lèvres que tu aperçois la science.

8 La sagesse de l'homme prudent, c'est l'intelligence de sa voie; La folie des insensés, c'est la tromperie.

9 Les insensés se font un jeu du péché, Mais parmi les hommes droits se trouve la bienveillance.

10 Le coeur connaît ses propres chagrins, Et un étranger ne saurait partager sa joie.

11 La maison des méchants sera détruite, Mais la tente des hommes droits fleurira.

12 Telle voie paraît droite à un homme, Mais son issue, c'est la voie de la mort.

13 Au milieu même du rire le coeur peut être affligé, Et la joie peut finir par la détresse.

14 Celui dont le coeur s'égare se rassasie de ses voies, Et l'homme de bien se rassasie de ce qui est en lui.

15 L'homme simple croit tout ce qu'on dit, Mais l'homme prudent est attentif à ses pas.

16 Le sage a de la retenue et se détourne du mal, Mais l'insensé est arrogant et plein de sécurité.

17 Celui qui est prompt à la colère fait des sottises, Et l'homme plein de malice s'attire la haine.

18 Les simples ont en partage la folie, Et les hommes prudents se font de la science une couronne.

19 Les mauvais s'inclinent devant les bons, Et les méchants aux portes du juste.

20 Le pauvre est odieux même à son ami, Mais les amis du riche sont nombreux.

21 Celui qui méprise son prochain commet un péché, Mais heureux celui qui a pitié des misérables!

22 Ceux qui méditent le mal ne s'égarent-ils pas? Mais ceux qui méditent le bien agissent avec bonté et fidélité.

23 Tout travail procure l'abondance, Mais les paroles en l'air ne mènent qu'à la disette.

24 La richesse est une couronne pour les sages; La folie des insensés est toujours de la folie.

25 Le témoin véridique délivre des âmes, Mais le trompeur dit des mensonges.

26 Celui qui craint l'Eternel possède un appui ferme, Et ses enfants ont un refuge auprès de lui.

27 La crainte de l'Eternel est une source de vie, Pour détourner des pièges de la mort.

28 Quand le peuple est nombreux, c'est la gloire d'un roi; Quand le peuple manque, c'est la ruine du prince.

29 Celui qui est lent à la colère a une grande intelligence, Mais celui qui est prompt à s'emporter proclame sa folie.

30 Un coeur calme est la vie du corps, Mais l'envie est la carie des os.

31 Opprimer le pauvre, c'est outrager celui qui l'a fait; Mais avoir pitié de l'indigent, c'est l'honorer.

32 Le méchant est renversé par sa méchanceté, Mais le juste trouve un refuge même en sa mort.

33 Dans un coeur intelligent repose la sagesse, Mais au milieu des insensés elle se montre à découvert.

34 La justice élève une nation, Mais le péché est la honte des peuples.

35 La faveur du roi est pour le serviteur prudent, Et sa colère pour celui qui fait honte.

Proverbes 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.