1 Every wise woman builds her house, But the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
2 He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh, But he who is perverse in his ways despises him.
3 The fool's talk brings a rod to his back, But the lips of the wise protect them.
4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, But much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5 A truthful witness will not lie, But a false witness pours out lies.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn't find it, But knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
7 Stay away from a foolish man, For you won't find knowledge on his lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, But the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools mock at making atonement for sins, But among the upright there is good will.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; He will not share these with a stranger.
11 The house of the wicked will be overthrown, But the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But in the end it leads to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, And mirth may end in heaviness.
14 The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; Likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.
15 A simple man believes everything, But the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
16 A wise man fears, and shuns evil, But the fool is hotheaded and reckless.
17 He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, And a crafty man is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow down before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, But the rich person has many friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins, But blessed is he who has pity on the poor.
22 Don't they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.
23 In all hard work there is profit, But the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches, But the folly of fools crowns them with folly.
25 A truthful witness saves souls, But a false witness is deceitful.
26 In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, And he will be a refuge for his children.
27 The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, Turning people from the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of people is the king's glory, But in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.
29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who has a quick temper displays folly.
30 The life of the body is a heart at peace, But envy rots the bones.
31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, But he who is kind to the needy honors him.
32 The wicked is brought down in his calamity, But in death, the righteous has a refuge.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, And is even made known in the inward part of fools.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 The king's favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, But his wrath is toward one who causes shame.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 14
Commentary on Proverbs 14 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 14
Pr 14:1-35.
1. Every wise, &c.—literally, "The wisdoms" (compare Pr 9:1) "of women," plural, a distributive form of speech.
buildeth … house—increases wealth, which the foolish, by mismanagement, lessen.
2. uprightness—is the fruit of fearing God, as falsehood and ill-nature (Pr 2:15; 3:32) of despising Him and His law.
3. rod of pride—that is, the punishment of pride, which they evince by their words. The words of the wise procure good to them.
4. crib is clean—empty; so "cleanness of teeth" denotes want of food (compare Am 4:6). Men get the proper fruit of their doings (Ga 6:7).
5. A faithful witness, &c.—one tested to be such.
utter lies—or, "breathe out lies"—that is, habitually lies (Pr 6:19; compare Ac 9:1). Or the sense is, that habitual truthfulness, or lying, will be evinced in witness-bearing.
6. An humble, teachable spirit succeeds in seeking (Pr 8:9; Joh 7:17; Jas 1:5, 6).
7. Avoid the society of those who cannot teach you.
8. Appearances deceive the thoughtless, but the prudent discriminate.
9. Fools make a mock at sin—or, "Sin deludes fools."
righteous … favour—that is, of God, instead of the punishment of sin.
10. Each one best knows his own sorrows or joys.
11. (Compare Pr 12:7). The contrast of the whole is enhanced by that of house and tabernacle, a permanent and a temporary dwelling.
12. end thereof—or, "reward," what results (compare Pr 5:4).
ways of death—leading to it.
13. The preceding sentiment illustrated by the disappointments of a wicked or untimely joy.
14. filled … ways—receive retribution (Pr 1:31).
a good man … himself—literally, "is away from such," will not associate with him.
15. The simple … word—He is credulous, not from love, but heedlessness (Pr 13:16).
16. (Compare Pr 3:7; 28:14).
rageth—acts proudly and conceitedly.
17. He … angry—literally, "short of anger" (compare Pr 14:29, opposite idea).
man … hated—that is, the deliberate evildoer is more hated than the rash.
18. inherit—as a portion (compare Pr 3:35).
are crowned—literally, "are surrounded with it," abound in it.
19. Describes the humbling of the wicked by the punishment their sins incur.
20. This sad but true picture of human nature is not given approvingly, but only as a fact.
21. For such contempt of the poor is contrasted as sinful with the virtuous compassion of the good.
22. As usual, the interrogative negative strengthens the affirmative.
mercy and truth—that is, God's (Ps 57:3; 61:7).
23. labour—painful diligence.
talk … penury—idle and vain promises and plans.
24. (Compare Pr 3:16).
foolishness … folly—Folly remains, or produces folly; it has no benefit.
25. Life often depends on truth-telling.
a deceitful … lies—He that breathes out lies is deceit, not to be trusted (Pr 14:5).
26. The blessings of piety descend to children (Pr 13:22; 20:7; Ex 20:6).
27. (Compare Pr 13:14).
fear of the Lord—or, "law of the wise," is wisdom (Ps 111:10).
28. The teaching of a true political economy.
29. slow … understanding—(Compare Pr 14:17).
hasty—(Compare Pr 14:17).
exalteth folly—makes it conspicuous, as if delighting to honor it.
30. A sound heart—both literally and figuratively, a source of health; in the latter sense, opposed to the known effect of evil passions on health.
31. reproacheth his Maker—who is the God of such, as well as of the rich (Pr 22:2; Job 31:15; and specially 1Sa 2:8; Ps 113:7).
32. driven—thrust out violently (compare Ps 35:5, 6).
hath hope—trusteth (Pr 10:2; 11:4; Ps 2:12), implying assurance of help.
33. resteth—preserved in quietness for use, while fools blazon their folly (Pr 12:23; 13:16).
34. Righteousness—just principles and actions.
exalteth—raises to honor.
is a reproach—brings on them the ill-will of others (compare Pr 13:6).
35. wise—discreet or prudent.
causeth shame—(Pr 10:5; 12:4) acts basely.