- 1
- The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
- 2
- He whose walk is upright fears the LORD, but he whose ways are devious despises him.
- 3
- A fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
- 4
- Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.
- 5
- A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.
- 6
- The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
- 7
- Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.
- 8
- The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
- 9
- Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.
- 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 seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
- 13
- Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.
- 14
- The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his.
- 15
- A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
- 16
- A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
- 17
- A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.
- 18
- The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
- 19
- Evil men 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
- He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.
- 22
- Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find [1] love and faithfulness.
- 23
- All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
- 24
- The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.
- 25
- A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.
- 26
- He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.
- 27
- The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
- 28
- A large population is a king's glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.
- 29
- A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
- 30
- A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
- 31
- He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
- 32
- When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.
- 33
- Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. [2]
- 34
- Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
- 35
- A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant incurs his wrath.
As someone deeply immersed in the study of ancient wisdom literature, particularly the Proverbs, I bring to the table a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the cultural and historical context surrounding these profound sayings. My expertise is not merely theoretical; it is grounded in years of research, analysis, and a genuine passion for unraveling the wisdom embedded in these ancient texts.
Now, delving into the Proverbs 14:1-35, these verses encapsulate timeless insights into human behavior, morality, and the consequences of one's actions. Let's break down the key concepts:
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Building and Destruction (Proverbs 14:1):
- The wise woman is portrayed as a builder, emphasizing the constructive nature of wisdom.
- Contrastingly, the foolish woman is depicted as tearing down her own house, symbolizing the destructive consequences of unwise actions.
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Uprightness and Devious Ways (Proverbs 14:2):
See AlsoA Neuroscientist On The (Important) Difference Between Wisdom & IntelligenceEnduring Word Bible Commentary Proverbs 21Understanding God: Why Does God Allow Evil?Why Do People Get Away with Evil?- The importance of an upright walk, signifying moral integrity and reverence for the divine.
- The condemnation of devious ways, indicating a disdain for dishonesty and a lack of reverence.
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Speech and Consequences (Proverbs 14:3):
- The consequences of foolish talk, represented by a rod to the back.
- The protective power of wise speech, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful and discerning communication.
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Productivity and Diligence (Proverbs 14:4, 23):
- The metaphor of the oxen highlights the connection between hard work and abundance.
- Hard work is extolled as a source of profit, contrasting with mere talk leading to poverty.
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Truthfulness and Deceit (Proverbs 14:5, 25):
- The contrast between a truthful witness and a false witness, highlighting the moral imperative of honesty.
- The life-saving quality of truthful testimony.
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Wisdom and Foolishness (Proverbs 14:6, 16):
- The difficulty the mocker faces in seeking wisdom.
- The prudent person's fear of the LORD, contrasting with the fool's hotheaded and reckless nature.
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Relationships and Character (Proverbs 14:7, 21):
- The advice to avoid foolish company to acquire knowledge.
- The significance of kindness to the needy and the sin of despising one's neighbor.
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Hard Work and its Rewards (Proverbs 14:23):
- The profitability of hard work, emphasizing the tangible outcomes of diligence.
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Fear of the LORD (Proverbs 14:26-27):
- The secure fortress and refuge for those who fear the LORD and its potential impact on future generations.
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Patience and Understanding (Proverbs 14:29):
- The connection between patience and great understanding, contrasting with the folly of a quick-tempered person.
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Righteousness and Sin (Proverbs 14:34):
- The exaltation of a nation through righteousness and the disgrace brought by sin.
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Leadership and Wisdom (Proverbs 14:28, 35):
- The glory of a king in a large population, highlighting the importance of subjects.
- The delight of a king in a wise servant, underscoring the value of wisdom in service.
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Contempt for the Poor and Kindness (Proverbs 14:31):
- The portrayal of contempt for the poor as showing contempt for their Maker.
- The honor bestowed upon those who show kindness to the needy.
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Calamity and Refuge (Proverbs 14:32):
- The contrasting fates of the wicked and the righteous in the face of calamity.
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Wisdom and its Reception (Proverbs 14:33):
- The idea that wisdom is known among the discerning but elusive among fools.
In conclusion, these proverbs offer a rich tapestry of insights into human nature, moral conduct, and the consequences of our choices—a profound guide to navigating the complexities of life with wisdom and discernment.
