Proverbs 14)
1 The true wisdom of a woman has built her house:
But a foolish (lax or careless habit of mind and body) woman will tear it down with her hands. (Because folly's present course is continuous to the end.)
2 He that walks in his uprightness reveres the LORD (Yehovah):
But he that is perverse in his ways despises Him. (I.e. he who turns out of His ways becomes an apostate, like the "strange" woman.)
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: (On one side we have "pride", prating, and punishment; on the other side, prudence, piety, and preservation.)
But the lips of the wise shall guard them.
4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean:
But much increase is by the strength of the ox. (While these were multiplied, horses were forbidden.)
5 A faithful witness will not lie: (See Matt. 26:60,61. Rev. 1:5].)
But a false witness will utter lies.
6 Every scorner has sought repeatedly wisdom, and finds it not: (Illustrations; the Pharisees [John 9:29. Cp. 7:32, and 1 Chron. 2:14]; Kenites [Acts 13:41,45]; Athenians [1 Cor. 1:23; 2:8].)
But knowledge is easy to him that is discerning. (Illustration: Ethiopian [Acts 8:27-39].)
7 Go from the presence of a foolish (fat, and then dense, or stupid, which comes of it, showing itself in impiety) man,
And acknowledge not in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The true wisdom of a prudent one is to understand his way: (Not to vainly speculate about it, or pry into the ways of others.)
But the folly of fools is lying.
9 A great fool makes a mock at guilt: (Illustrations: the antidiluvians [Luke 17:26,27. 1 Pet. 3:20]; Abner [2 Sam. 2:14-17]; Haman [Est. 3:13-15. Prov. 29:2]; Judeans [Isa. 22:13].)
But among upright ones there is favor. (Those who offer the trespass offering, experience the Divine favor.)
10 The heart know the bitterness of his soul; (Illustrations: Hannah [1 Sam. 1:8-13]; Joab [2 Sam. 19:5-7]; the Shunammite [2 Kings 4:27]; Haman [Est. 5:3]; Job [Job 3]; Herod [Mark 6:16].)
And an apostate does not inter-meddle with his joy.
11 The house of lawless ones shall be overthrown:
But the tent (or dwelling) of upright ones shall flourish.
12 There is a way which is pleasing (it only "seems" right) to a man, (Illustrations: Jeroboam [1 Kings 12:27-33; 4:7-11. Cp. Prov. 3:7]; Josiah [2 Chron. 35:20-24]; Kenites [Acts 13:50. John 16:2. Cp. Paul, Phil. 3:4-7, and 1 Tim. 1:13].)
But the end thereof is the ways of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart is (i.e. may be) sorrowful; (Illustrations: Nabal [1 Sam. 25;36,37]; Solomon [Ecc. 2;2]; Belshazzar [Dan. 5:1-6,30]; Israelites [Amos 6;3-7]; Babylon [Rev. 18:7,8].)
And the end of that mirth is heaviness.
14 The backslider in heart shall be satisfied with his own ways:
And a good man shall be satisfied from himself (or, from his own doing. Cp. Jer. 17:10).
15 The simple believe every word (or thing):
But the prudent man look well to his going.
16 A wise man fear, and departs from evil:
But the fool rushes on, and is confident.
17 He that is soon angry deals foolishly:
And a man of deep schemes (or intrigues) is hated.
But prudent ones are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evil ones bow before the good;
And the wicked at the gates of a righteous one.
20 A needy one is hated even of his own neighbor:
But a rich man has many friends.
21 He that despises his neighbor sins:
But he that is gracious to an afflicted one, happy is he.
22 Do they not err that devise evil?
But grace (or loving-kindness) and truth shall be to them that devise good.
23 In all labor there is profit:
But the talk of the lips tends only to penury.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches:
But the foolishness of fools is folly.
25 A true witness delivers souls:
But a deceitful witness speaks lies.
26 In the reverence of the LORD is strong confidence: (Illustrations; Abraham: [Gen. 22:3-10. Heb. 11:19]; David [1 Sam. 30:6]; Hezekiah [2 Chon. 32:7,8,22]; Shadrach and others [Dan. 3:17,25,27. Isa. 43;2]; Habakkuk [Hab. 3:17-19]; Petr [Acts 12:6. Prov. 3:24]; Paul [2 Tim. 4:6-8].)
And his sons shall have a place of refuge.
27 The reverence of the LORD is a fountain of life,
To avoid the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of people is the king's honor:
But in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
29 He that is slow to wrath is of great discernment:
But he that is hasty of spirit exalts folly. (Illustrations: Rehoboam [1 Kings 12. Cp. v.16 above]; Jehoram [2 Kings 5:7]; Jonah [Jonah 4:8,9]; Martha [Luke 10:40].)
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh:
But envy the rottenness of the bones.
31 He that oppresses a weak one reproaches his Maker:
but he that honors Him is gracious to a humbled one.
32 A lawless one is thrust down in his evil-doing: (Illustrations: Dathan [Num. 16:33]; Israel [Ex. 32:28. 1 Cor. 10;7]; Balaam [Num. 31:8,10. Rev. 2:14]; Canaanites [Josh. 2:9; 5:1; 10. Deut. 9:5]; Hophni and Phinehas [1 Sam. 4:11]; Baal's prophets [1 Kings 18:40]; Belshazzar [Dan. 5:2-6,30].)
But the righteous has hope in his death. (Illustrations: Jacob [Gen. 49:18]; Joseph [Gen. 50:24,25. Heb. 11:22]; David [2 Sam. 23:5. Ps. 17:15]; Stephen [Acts 7:55,60]; Paul [2 Tim. 4:6-8]; Pet. 2 Pet. 1:14,16; 3:13])
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him that has understanding:
And even in the midst of fools will make itself (i.e. wisdom) known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation:
But sin is a reproach to any peoples. (Illustrations: Deut. 4:6; 28. 1 Kings 9:7-9. 2 Chron. 15:3,5,6; cp. Josh. 1:8; 10:42; 23:14 and Judg. 1; 2,&c.; cp. 2 Chron. 17:2-5,10,11, and 2 Kings 18:7 with 2 Kings 16. Cp. the Canaanites [Lev. 18:24-30]; Egypt [Ex. 12:12. Ezek. 29:1-15]; Amalekites [Ex. 17:16. 1 Sam. 15]; Babylon [Isa. 14:4-23. Isa. 47:6-15]; Moab [Isa. 16:6,7]; Tyre [Ezek. 28:2-8. Isa. 23:1-9]; Nineveh [Zeph. 2:13-15].)
35 The king's favor is toward a wise servant:
But his wrath is against him that causes shame.