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Proverbs 14

BSB·35 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Every wiseחַכְמ֣וֹתḥaḵ·mō·wṯ — Wise, skilled, or cunning in understanding and discernmentH2450 — Full Word Study → womanנָ֭שִׁיםnā·šîm — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → buildsבָּנְתָ֣הbā·nə·ṯāh — to build, construct, establishH1129 — Full Word Study → her houseבֵיתָ֑הּḇê·ṯāh — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study →, but a foolish oneוְ֝אִוֶּ֗לֶתwə·’iw·we·leṯ — foolishness, senselessness, moral depravityH200 — Full Word Study → tears it downתֶהֶרְסֶֽנּוּ׃ṯe·her·sen·nū — To destroy, tear down, or overthrow completelyH2040 — Full Word Study → with her own handsבְּיָדֶ֥יהָbə·yā·ḏe·hā — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →. 2He who walksהוֹלֵ֣ךְhō·w·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → in uprightnessבְּ֭יָשְׁרוֹbə·yā·šə·rōw — Uprightness, rightness, equityH3476 — Full Word Study → fearsיְרֵ֣אyə·rê — to fear, be afraid, dreadH3373 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, but the one who is deviousוּנְל֖וֹזū·nə·lō·wz — to turn aside, deviate, act perverselyH3868 — Full Word Study → in his waysדְּרָכָ֣יוdə·rā·ḵāw — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → despises Himבּוֹזֵֽהוּ׃bō·w·zê·hū — to despise, treat with contemptH959 — Full Word Study →. 3The proudגַּאֲוָ֑הga·’ă·wāh — Pride, arrogance, haughtiness of spiritH1346 — Full Word Study → speechבְּֽפִי־bə·p̄î- — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → of a foolאֱ֭וִיל’ĕ·wîl — a foolish or senseless personH191 — Full Word Study → brings a rod to his backחֹ֣טֶרḥō·ṭer — Branch, rod, or shoot of a treeH2415 — Full Word Study →, but the lipsוְשִׂפְתֵ֥יwə·śip̄·ṯê — Lips; edge, border, or shoreH8193 — Full Word Study → of the wiseחֲ֝כָמִ֗יםḥă·ḵā·mîm — Wise, skilled, or cunning in understanding and discernmentH2450 — Full Word Study → protect themתִּשְׁמוּרֵֽם׃tiš·mū·rêm — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study →. 4Where there are noבְּאֵ֣יןbə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → oxenאֲ֭לָפִים’ă·lā·p̄îm — Thousand; large number or military unitH504 — Full Word Study →, the mangerאֵב֣וּס’ê·ḇūs — Animal feeding trough or mangerH18 — Full Word Study → is emptyבָּ֑רbār — Pure, clean, clear, or choiceH1249 — Full Word Study →, but an abundantוְרָב־wə·rāḇ- — Abundance, multitude, or great quantityH7230 — Full Word Study → harvest comesתְּ֝בוּא֗וֹתtə·ḇū·’ō·wṯ — Produce, yield, or harvestH8393 — Full Word Study → through the strengthבְּכֹ֣חַbə·ḵō·aḥ — Strength, power, might, or abilityH3581 — Full Word Study → of the oxשֽׁוֹר׃šō·wr — Ox, bull, or cattleH7794 — Full Word Study →. 5An honestאֱ֭מוּנִים’ĕ·mū·nîm — Faithfulness, reliability, trustworthinessH529 — Full Word Study → witnessעֵ֣ד‘êḏ — A person who testifies or bears witnessH5707 — Full Word Study → does notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → deceiveיְכַזֵּ֑בyə·ḵaz·zêḇ — to lie, deceive, or prove falseH3576 — Full Word Study →, but a dishonestשָֽׁקֶר׃šā·qer — Deception, falsehood, lieH8267 — Full Word Study → witnessעֵ֣ד‘êḏ — A person who testifies or bears witnessH5707 — Full Word Study → pours forthוְיָפִ֥יחַwə·yā·p̄î·aḥ — To breathe out, blow, puff, or utterH6315 — Full Word Study → liesכְּ֝זָבִ֗יםkə·zā·ḇîm — Lie, falsehood, deceptionH3577 — Full Word Study →. 6A mockerלֵ֣ץlêṣ — to mock, scorn, or ridiculeH3887 — Full Word Study → seeksבִּקֶּשׁ־biq·qeš- — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study → wisdomחָכְמָ֣הḥāḵ·māh — Wisdom; skillful understanding and discernmentH2451 — Full Word Study → and finds none, but knowledgeוְדַ֖עַתwə·ḏa·‘aṯ — Knowledge, understanding, awarenessH1847 — Full Word Study → comes easilyנָקָֽל׃nā·qāl — to make light; to curse; to despiseH7043 — Full Word Study → to the discerningלְנָב֣וֹןlə·nā·ḇō·wn — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study →. 7Stay awayלֵ֣ךְlêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → fromמִ֭נֶּגֶדmin·ne·ḡeḏ — before, in front of, in the presence ofH5048 — Full Word Study → a foolishכְּסִ֑ילkə·sîl — fool, foolish personH3684 — Full Word Study → manלְאִ֣ישׁlə·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →; you will gainיָ֝דַ֗עְתָּyā·ḏa‘·tā — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → noוּבַל־ū·ḇal- — not, lest, nothingH1077 — Full Word Study → knowledgeדָֽעַת׃ḏā·‘aṯ — Knowledge, understanding, awarenessH1847 — Full Word Study → from his speechשִׂפְתֵי־śip̄·ṯê- — Lips; edge, border, or shoreH8193 — Full Word Study →. 8The wisdomחָכְמַ֣תḥā·ḵə·maṯ — Wisdom; skillful understanding and discernmentH2451 — Full Word Study → of the prudentעָ֭רוּם‘ā·rūm — Prudent, shrewd, crafty, cunningH6175 — Full Word Study → is to discernהָבִ֣יןhā·ḇîn — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study → his wayדַּרְכּ֑וֹdar·kōw — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study →, but the follyוְאִוֶּ֖לֶתwə·’iw·we·leṯ — foolishness, senselessness, moral depravityH200 — Full Word Study → of foolsכְּסִילִ֣יםkə·sî·lîm — fool, foolish personH3684 — Full Word Study → deceives themמִרְמָֽה׃mir·māh — deceit, treachery, or cunning deceptionH4820 — Full Word Study →. 9Foolsאֱ֭וִלִים’ĕ·wi·lîm — a foolish or senseless personH191 — Full Word Study → mockיָלִ֣יץyā·lîṣ — to mock, scorn, or ridiculeH3887 — Full Word Study → the making of amendsאָשָׁ֑ם’ā·šām — guilt offering; reparation sacrificeH817 — Full Word Study →, but goodwill is foundרָצֽוֹן׃rā·ṣō·wn — Favor, pleasure, or acceptable willH7522 — Full Word Study → amongוּבֵ֖יןū·ḇên — between, among, in the midst ofH996 — Full Word Study → the uprightיְשָׁרִ֣יםyə·šā·rîm — upright, straight, righteous, justH3477 — Full Word Study →. 10The heartלֵ֗בlêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → knowsי֭וֹדֵעַyō·w·ḏê·a‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → its ownנַפְשׁ֑וֹnap̄·šōw — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → bitternessמָרַּ֣תmār·raṯ — Bitterness; bitter taste or bitter sorrowH4787 — Full Word Study →, and noלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → strangerזָֽר׃zār — to turn aside, be strange or foreignH2114 — Full Word Study → sharesיִתְעָ֥רַבyiṯ·‘ā·raḇ — To pledge, give surety, become responsible for anotherH6148 — Full Word Study → in its joyוּ֝בְשִׂמְחָת֗וֹū·ḇə·śim·ḥā·ṯōw — Joy, gladness, rejoicingH8057 — Full Word Study →. 11The houseבֵּ֣יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of the wickedרְ֭שָׁעִיםrə·šā·‘îm — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → will be destroyedיִשָּׁמֵ֑דyiš·šā·mêḏ — to destroy utterly, annihilate, or lay wasteH8045 — Full Word Study →, but the tentוְאֹ֖הֶלwə·’ō·hel — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study → of the uprightיְשָׁרִ֣יםyə·šā·rîm — upright, straight, righteous, justH3477 — Full Word Study → will flourishיַפְרִֽיחַ׃yap̄·rî·aḥ — to bloom, flourish, or spread forthH6524 — Full Word Study →. 12There isיֵ֤שׁyêš — there is, exists, has beingH3426 — Full Word Study → a wayדֶּ֣רֶךְde·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → that seems rightיָ֭שָׁרyā·šār — upright, straight, righteous, justH3477 — Full Word Study → toלִפְנֵי־lip̄·nê- — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → a manאִ֑ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →, but its endוְ֝אַחֲרִיתָ֗הּwə·’a·ḥă·rî·ṯāh — End, latter time, final outcomeH319 — Full Word Study → is the wayדַּרְכֵי־dar·ḵê- — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → of deathמָֽוֶת׃mā·weṯ — death, the state of being deadH4194 — Full Word Study →. 13Evenגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → in laughterבִּשְׂח֥וֹקbiś·ḥō·wq — laughter, derision, mockeryH7814 — Full Word Study → the heartלֵ֑בlêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → may acheיִכְאַב־yiḵ·’aḇ- — to cause pain; to grieve or saddenH3510 — Full Word Study →, and joyשִׂמְחָ֣הśim·ḥāh — Joy, gladness, rejoicingH8057 — Full Word Study → may endוְאַחֲרִיתָ֖הּwə·ʾa·ḥă·rī·ṯå̄h — End, latter time, final outcomeH319 — Full Word Study → in sorrowתוּגָֽה׃ṯū·ḡāh — Grief, sorrow, heaviness of heartH8424 — Full Word Study →. 14The backsliderס֣וּגsūḡ — to turn back, withdraw, or turn awayH5472 — Full Word Study → in heartלֵ֑בlêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → receives the fillיִ֭שְׂבַּעyiś·ba‘ — to satisfy, fill, have enoughH7646 — Full Word Study → of his own waysמִדְּרָכָ֣יוmid·də·rā·ḵāw — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study →, but a goodטֽוֹב׃ṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → manאִ֣ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → is rewarded for his ways. 15The simple man believesיַאֲמִ֣יןya·’ă·mîn — to trust, believe, be faithfulH539 — Full Word Study → everyלְכָל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → wordדָּבָ֑רdā·ḇār — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study →, but the prudent manוְ֝עָר֗וּםwə·‘ā·rūm — Prudent, shrewd, crafty, cunningH6175 — Full Word Study → watchesיָבִ֥יןyā·ḇîn — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study → his stepsלַאֲשֻׁרֽוֹ׃la·’ă·šu·rōw — A step; a footfall or pace in walkingH838 — Full Word Study →. 16A wise man fearsיָ֭רֵאyā·rê — to fear, be afraid, dreadH3373 — Full Word Study → and turnsוְסָ֣רwə·sār — to turn aside, depart, removeH5493 — Full Word Study → from evilמֵרָ֑עmê·rā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →, but a foolוּ֝כְסִ֗ילū·ḵə·sîl — fool, foolish personH3684 — Full Word Study → is carelessוּבוֹטֵֽחַ׃ū·ḇō·w·ṭê·aḥ — to trust, rely on, have confidenceH982 — Full Word Study → and recklessמִתְעַבֵּ֥רmiṯ·‘ab·bêr — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study →. 17A quick-tempered manקְֽצַר־qə·ṣar- — short, brief, few in number or durationH7116 — Full Word Study → actsיַעֲשֶׂ֣הya·‘ă·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → foolishlyאִוֶּ֑לֶת’iw·we·leṯ — foolishness, senselessness, moral depravityH200 — Full Word Study →, and a deviousמְ֝זִמּ֗וֹתmə·zim·mō·wṯ — wicked plot, malicious scheme, or lustful intentionH4209 — Full Word Study → manוְאִ֥ישׁwə·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → is hatedיִשָּׂנֵֽא׃yiś·śā·nê — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study →. 18The simpleפְתָאיִ֣םp̄ə·ṯā·yim — Simple, naive, or easily deceived personH6612 — Full Word Study → inheritנָחֲל֣וּnā·ḥă·lū — to inherit, to take possession as an heirH5157 — Full Word Study → follyאִוֶּ֑לֶת’iw·we·leṯ — foolishness, senselessness, moral depravityH200 — Full Word Study →, but the prudentוַֽ֝עֲרוּמִ֗יםwa·‘ă·rū·mîm — Prudent, shrewd, crafty, cunningH6175 — Full Word Study → are crownedיַכְתִּ֥רוּyaḵ·ti·rū — to surround, encircle, or crownH3803 — Full Word Study → with knowledgeדָֽעַת׃ḏā·‘aṯ — Knowledge, understanding, awarenessH1847 — Full Word Study →. 19The evilרָ֭עִיםrā·‘îm — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → bowשַׁח֣וּša·ḥū — to bow down, bend, stoop, humble oneselfH7817 — Full Word Study → beforeלִפְנֵ֣יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the goodטוֹבִ֑יםṭō·w·ḇîm — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study →, and the wickedוּ֝רְשָׁעִ֗יםū·rə·šā·‘îm — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → atעַֽל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the gatesשַׁעֲרֵ֥יša·‘ă·rê — Gate; entrance to a city or enclosureH8179 — Full Word Study → of the righteousצַדִּֽיק׃ṣad·dîq — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study →. 20The poor man is hatedיִשָּׂ֣נֵאyiś·śā·nê — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study → evenגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → by his neighborלְ֭רֵעֵהוּlə·rê·‘ê·hū — neighbor, friend, companion, associateH7453 — Full Word Study →, but many are thoseרַבִּֽים׃rab·bîm — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → who loveוְאֹהֲבֵ֖יwə·’ō·hă·ḇê — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study → the richעָשִׁ֣יר‘ā·šîr — A wealthy or rich person; one possessing abundant resourcesH6223 — Full Word Study →. 21He who despisesבָּז־bāz- — to despise, treat with contemptH936 — Full Word Study → his neighborלְרֵעֵ֥הוּlə·rê·‘ê·hū — neighbor, friend, companion, associateH7453 — Full Word Study → sinsחוֹטֵ֑אḥō·w·ṭê — To sin; to miss the mark; to commit wrongdoingH2398 — Full Word Study →, but blessed isאַשְׁרָֽיו׃’aš·rāw — blessed, happy, fortunateH835 — Full Word Study → he who shows kindnessוּמְחוֹנֵ֖ןū·mə·ḥō·w·nên — To show favor, mercy, or compassion; to be graciousH2603 — Full Word Study → to the poorעֲנָיִיםʿă·nå̄·yīm — Poor, afflicted, humbleH6041 — Full Word Study →. 22Do notהֲ‍ֽלוֹא־hălō·w- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → those who contriveחֹ֣רְשֵׁיḥō·rə·šê — to engrave, plow, devise, or keep silentH2790 — Full Word Study → evilרָ֑עrā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → go astrayיִ֭תְעוּyiṯ·‘ū — to stray, wander, or go astrayH8582 — Full Word Study →? But those who planחֹ֣רְשֵׁיḥō·rə·šê — to engrave, plow, devise, or keep silentH2790 — Full Word Study → goodness find loving devotionוְחֶ֥סֶדwə·ḥe·seḏ — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → and faithfulnessוֶ֝אֱמֶ֗תwe·’ĕ·meṯ — Truth; faithfulness; reliability; what is established and sureH571 — Full Word Study →. 23There isיִהְיֶ֣הyih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → profitמוֹתָ֑רmō·w·ṯār — Advantage, profit, or superiorityH4195 — Full Word Study → in allבְּכָל־bə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → laborעֶ֭צֶב‘e·ṣeḇ — Labor, toil, or painful sorrow; idolH6089 — Full Word Study →, but mere talkוּדְבַר־ū·ḏə·ḇa·rś- — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → leads onlyאַךְ־’aḵ- — Surely, certainly, only, neverthelessH389 — Full Word Study → to povertyלְמַחְסֽוֹר׃lə·maḥ·sō·wr — Lack, want, or shortage; deprivation or povertyH4270 — Full Word Study →. 24The crownעֲטֶ֣רֶת‘ă·ṭe·reṯ — Crown; royal headpiece or honorH5850 — Full Word Study → of the wiseחֲכָמִ֣יםḥă·ḵā·mîm — Wise, skilled, or cunning in understanding and discernmentH2450 — Full Word Study → is their wealthעָשְׁרָ֑ם‘ā·šə·rām — Riches, wealth, abundance of possessionsH6239 — Full Word Study →, but the effort of foolsכְּסִילִ֣יםkə·sî·lîm — fool, foolish personH3684 — Full Word Study → is folly. 25A truthfulאֱמֶ֑ת’ĕ·meṯ — Truth; faithfulness; reliability; what is established and sureH571 — Full Word Study → witnessעֵ֣ד‘êḏ — A person who testifies or bears witnessH5707 — Full Word Study → savesמַצִּ֣ילmaṣ·ṣîl — to rescue, deliver, or snatch awayH5337 — Full Word Study → livesנְ֭פָשׁוֹתnə·p̄ā·šō·wṯ — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →, but one who uttersוְיָפִ֖חַwə·yā·p̄i·aḥ — To breathe out, blow, puff, or utterH6315 — Full Word Study → liesכְּזָבִ֣יםkə·zā·ḇîm — Lie, falsehood, deceptionH3577 — Full Word Study → is deceitfulמִרְמָֽה׃mir·māh — deceit, treachery, or cunning deceptionH4820 — Full Word Study →. 26He who fearsבְּיִרְאַ֣תbə·yir·’aṯ — Fear, reverence, dread, or aweH3374 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is secureעֹ֑ז‘ōz — Strength, power, or mightH5797 — Full Word Study → in confidenceמִבְטַח־miḇ·ṭaḥ- — Trust, confidence, secure refugeH4009 — Full Word Study →, and his childrenוּ֝לְבָנָ֗יוū·lə·ḇā·nāw — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → shall haveיִהְיֶ֥הyih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → a place of refugeמַחְסֶֽה׃maḥ·seh — Refuge, shelter, or place of safetyH4268 — Full Word Study →. 27The fearיִרְאַ֣תyir·’aṯ — Fear, reverence, dread, or aweH3374 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is a fountainמְק֣וֹרmə·qō·wr — A spring, fountain, or source of waterH4726 — Full Word Study → of lifeחַיִּ֑יםḥay·yîm — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study →, turning a man from the snaresמִמֹּ֥קְשֵׁיmim·mō·qə·šê — snare, trap, or netH4170 — Full Word Study → of deathמָֽוֶת׃mā·weṯ — death, the state of being deadH4194 — Full Word Study →. 28A largeבְּרָב־bə·rāḇ- — Abundance, multitude, or great quantityH7230 — Full Word Study → populationעָ֥ם‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → is a king’sמֶ֑לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → splendorהַדְרַת־haḏ·raṯ- — splendor, majesty, or honorable adornmentH1927 — Full Word Study →, but a lackוּבְאֶ֥פֶסū·ḇə·’e·p̄es — End, cessation, extremity; nothing, noughtH657 — Full Word Study → of subjectsלְ֝אֹ֗םlə·’ōm — A people or nation; ethnic or political communityH3816 — Full Word Study → is a prince’sרָזֽוֹן׃rā·zō·wn — Prince, ruler, or noble leaderH7333 — Full Word Study → ruinמְחִתַּ֥תmə·ḥit·taṯ — Terror, sudden fright, dismayH4288 — Full Word Study →. 29A patient man has greatרַב־raḇ- — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → understandingתְּבוּנָ֑הtə·ḇū·nāh — Prudent understanding; discernment and skillH8394 — Full Word Study →, but a quick-tempered man promotesמֵרִ֥יםmê·rîm — To raise, lift up, exalt; to be highH7311 — Full Word Study → follyאִוֶּֽלֶת׃’iw·we·leṯ — foolishness, senselessness, moral depravityH200 — Full Word Study →. 30A tranquilמַרְפֵּ֑אmar·pê — healing, cure, remedy, restoration to healthH4832 — Full Word Study → heartלֵ֣בlêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → is lifeחַיֵּ֣יḥay·yê — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study → to the bodyבְ֭שָׂרִיםḇə·śā·rîm — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study →, but envyקִנְאָֽה׃qin·’āh — zealous passion; jealousy; fervent intensityH7068 — Full Word Study → rotsוּרְקַ֖בū·rə·qaḇ — rottenness, decay, corruptionH7538 — Full Word Study → the bonesעֲצָמ֣וֹת‘ă·ṣā·mō·wṯ — bone; body; substance; strengthH6106 — Full Word Study →. 31Whoever oppressesעֹ֣שֵֽׁק־ʿō·šēq- — To oppress, defraud, or exploitH6231 — Full Word Study → the poorדָּ֭לdāl — poor, needy, weakH1800 — Full Word Study → tauntsחֵרֵ֣ףḥê·rêp̄ — to reproach, defy, or insult; to blasphemeH2778 — Full Word Study → their Makerעֹשֵׂ֑הוּ‘ō·śê·hū — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study →, but whoever is kindחֹנֵ֥ןḥō·nên — To show favor, mercy, or compassion; to be graciousH2603 — Full Word Study → to the needyאֶבְיֽוֹן׃’eḇ·yō·wn — Poor person in dire needH34 — Full Word Study → honors Himוּ֝מְכַבְּד֗וֹū·mə·ḵab·bə·ḏōw — to honor, glorify, or make heavy/weightyH3513 — Full Word Study →. 32The wicked man is thrown downיִדָּחֶ֣הyid·dā·ḥeh — to push, drive, or thrust away forcefullyH1760 — Full Word Study → by his own sinבְּֽ֭רָעָתוֹbə·rā·‘ā·ṯōw — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →, but the righteous man has a refugeוְחֹסֶ֖הwə·ḥō·seh — To take refuge; to seek shelter or safetyH2620 — Full Word Study → even in deathבְמוֹת֣וֹḇə·mō·w·ṯōw — death, the state of being deadH4194 — Full Word Study →. 33Wisdomחָכְמָ֑הḥāḵ·māh — Wisdom; skillful understanding and discernmentH2451 — Full Word Study → restsתָּנ֣וּחַtā·nū·aḥ — To rest, cease, or remain in a state of quietnessH5117 — Full Word Study → in the heartבְּלֵ֣בbə·lêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → of the discerningנָ֭בוֹןnā·ḇō·wn — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study →; even amongוּבְקֶ֥רֶבū·ḇə·qe·reḇ — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study → foolsכְּ֝סִילִ֗יםkə·sî·lîm — fool, foolish personH3684 — Full Word Study → she is knownתִּוָּדֵֽעַ׃tiw·wā·ḏê·a‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study →. 34Righteousnessצְדָקָ֥הṣə·ḏā·qāh — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study → exaltsתְרֽוֹמֵֽם־ṯə·rō·w·mêm- — To raise, lift up, exalt; to be highH7311 — Full Word Study → a nationגּ֑וֹיgō·w — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study →, but sinחַטָּֽאת׃ḥaṭ·ṭāṯ — sin; sin offering; sinfulnessH2403 — Full Word Study → is a disgraceוְחֶ֖סֶדwə·ḥe·seḏ — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → to any peopleלְאֻמִּ֣יםlə·’um·mîm — A people or nation; ethnic or political communityH3816 — Full Word Study →. 35A kingמֶ֭לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → delights inרְֽצוֹן־rə·ṣō·wn- — Favor, pleasure, or acceptable willH7522 — Full Word Study → a wiseמַשְׂכִּ֑ילmaś·kîl — To act wisely; to understand, prosper, or give skillH7919 — Full Word Study → servantלְעֶ֣בֶדlə·‘e·ḇeḏ — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study →, but his angerוְ֝עֶבְרָת֗וֹwə·‘eḇ·rā·ṯōw — Fury, rage, intense angerH5678 — Full Word Study → fallsתִּהְיֶ֥הtih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → on the shamefulמֵבִֽישׁ׃mê·ḇîš — to be ashamed; to feel shame or disgraceH954 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Proverbs 14
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Proverbs 14 presents a sustained contrast between wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness, as these qualities work themselves out in real life. Throughout this chapter, Solomon repeatedly shows us that our choices—whether to fear God, speak truth, control our anger, or treat others with mercy—produce concrete consequences both in our character and circumstances. The chapter emphasizes that true wisdom is not mere intellectual cleverness but a reverent, practical way of living that honours God and serves others. This is wisdom's greatest reward: a flourishing life rooted in God's character.

Verses 1-5: Building or Destroying Through Our Words and Character

Verse 1 opens with the image of a woman who builds her household through wisdom, contrasted with one whose foolishness tears it down. This speaks not only to literal household management but to how our choices shape our relationships and legacy. The foolish person actively undermines what could flourish; destruction comes from her own hands.

Verses 2-3 reveal that fear of the Lord produces uprightness and safety, while perversity shows contempt for Him. The fool's mouth becomes a "rod of pride"—his words bring judgment upon himself, whereas the wise person's lips preserve and protect him. Verse 5 underscores the critical importance of truthfulness: a faithful witness refuses to lie, knowing that truth carries ultimate power, while false witnesses destroy trust and spread harm.

Application: Examine your words today. Do they build others up or tear them down? Are you known as someone truthful and trustworthy?

Verses 6-12: The Limits of Human Wisdom Apart from God

A scorner—one who mocks God and His ways—seeks wisdom but cannot find it (verse 6). Yet knowledge comes easily to those with genuine understanding. This paradox reveals that scorning God's authority blocks access to true wisdom, no matter how intelligent we might be.

Verse 7 gives practical counsel: separate yourself from fools, for time spent with those devoid of knowledge is wasted and corrupting. Verses 8-9 contrast the prudent person (who understands his own path and its implications) with fools (who live in deceit and mock sin as harmless). Verse 12 delivers one of Scripture's most sobering truths: subjective certainty is not truth. A way can seem right to us, yet lead to death. This warns against trusting our feelings or cultural assumptions without submitting them to God's Word.

Application: Before committing to a major decision, ask: "Am I following God's Word, or merely what feels right to me?"

Verses 13-20: The Inward Reality and Social Consequences of Our Choices

Verses 13-14 penetrate beneath surface appearances. Laughter can mask sorrow; merriment can end in heaviness. The backslider (one who turns from God in heart) becomes filled with his own empty ways, whereas the good person finds satisfaction in righteousness itself. This suggests that our moral trajectory inevitably shapes our emotional and spiritual reality.

The simple person believes everything (verse 15), making him vulnerable; the prudent considers his steps carefully. Verse 16 shows courage in wisdom (the wise man fears God and departs from evil) versus recklessness in folly (the fool rages with false confidence). Verse 17 warns that quick anger leads to foolish actions and hatred, while verses 19-20 observe social realities: the wicked ultimately bow before the righteous, and the poor often lack friends, while the wealthy attract companions—a sobering reminder that human friendship can be shallow.

Application: Cultivate deliberation and self-awareness. Pause before responding in anger, and examine whether your relationships are genuine.

Verses 21-27: Mercy, Labour, and the Fear of the Lord

Despising the poor is sin; honouring God means showing mercy to them (verses 21, 31). Verse 23 affirms that diligent labour produces profit, while idle talking leads to poverty. Verses 26-27 climax the chapter by returning to fear of the Lord: it provides confidence and refuge, and it is a fountain of life that preserves us from death's snares.

Verses 28-35: Governance, Character, and Divine Order

These final verses address national and personal health. Righteousness exalts nations; sin brings reproach (verse 34). A slow-to-anger person shows true understanding (verse 29), while envy rots the bones (verse 30). The king honours the wise servant and rejects the shameful one (verse 35).

Application for Today

Proverbs 14 calls us to examine whether we are building or destroying, whether we are following God's wisdom or our own hearts' deceit. True flourishing comes not from worldly success but from fearing God, speaking truth, controlling our temper, and extending mercy to the vulnerable. Ask the Spirit to reveal any areas where you are being "simple" or "scorning" rather than truly wise, and commit today to one concrete step toward God-honouring living.

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