Proverbs Chapter 14

From The Open Bible Project

14:1 Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

• (a) That is, takes pains to profit her family, and to do that which concerns her duty in her house.

14:2 He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.

• (b) That is, in uprightness of heart, and without hypocrisy.

14:3 The fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

• (b) That is, in uprightness of heart, and without hypocrisy.

14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

• (d) By the ox is meant labour, and by the crib the barn, meaning, without labour there is no profit.

14:5 A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies.

• (e) For the maintenance of his own ambition, and not for God’s glory, as Simon Magus.

14:6 A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn't find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.

14:7 Stay away from a foolish man, for you won't find knowledge on his lips.

14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.

14:9 Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but among the upright there is good will.

• (f) Does not know the grievousness of it, nor God’s judgments against the same.

14:10 The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger.

• (g) As a man’s conscience is witness to his own grief, so another cannot feel the joy and comfort which a man feels in himself.

14:11 The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

14:13 Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, and mirth may end in heaviness.

• (h) He shows the allurement to sin, that it seems sweet, but the end of it is destruction.

14:14 The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.

• (i) He who forsakes God will be punished, and made weary of his sins, in which he delighted.

14:15 A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.

14:16 A wise man fears, and shuns evil, but the fool is hotheaded and reckless.

14:17 He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated.

14:18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

14:19 The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

• (k) If this come not daily to pass, we must consider that it is because of our sins, which hinder God’s workings.

14:20 The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, but the rich person has many friends.

14:21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who has pity on the poor.

14:22 Don't they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.

14:23 In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.

14:24 The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.

14:25 A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful.

14:26 In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.

14:27 The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death.

14:28 In the multitude of people is the king's glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.

• (l) That is, the strength of a king stands in many people.

14:29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.

14:30 The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones.

14:31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.

14:32 The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge.

14:33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools.

• (m) Forasmuch as they are convicted by it, and silenced.

14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

14:35 The king's favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.