Wisdom, the Fear of the Lord, and the Way That Leads to Life.

Proverbs 14 shows that wisdom and folly are built into everyday life, and each one leaves visible fruit in the home, the heart, the mouth, and the path a person walks. The chapter teaches that the wise fear the Lord, receive knowledge, speak carefully, and turn away from evil, while fools are careless, self-confident, and destructive even when they think they are secure. It warns that appearances can deceive, because a way may seem right to a man while still ending in death. The chapter also emphasizes compassion, integrity, diligence, and righteousness as things that strengthen both individuals and nations. Altogether, Proverbs 14 calls the reader to reject shallow confidence and to walk in the fear of the Lord, where true wisdom, stability, and life are found.

Proverbs 14:1 – 14:35

  1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
  2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but [he that is] perverse in his ways despiseth him.
  3 In the mouth of the foolish [is] a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
  4 Where no oxen [are], the crib [is] clean: but much increase [is] by the strength of the ox.
  5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
  6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and [findeth it] not: but knowledge [is] easy unto him that understandeth.
  7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not [in him] the lips of knowledge.
  8 The wisdom of the prudent [is] to understand his way: but the folly of fools [is] deceit.
  9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous [there is] favour.
  10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
  11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
  12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.
  13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth [is] heaviness.
  14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man [shall be satisfied] from himself.
  15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent [man] looketh well to his going.
  16 A wise [man] feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
  17 [He that is] soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
  18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
  19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
  20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich [hath] many friends.
  21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy [is] he.
  22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth [shall be] to them that devise good.
  23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to penury.
  24 The crown of the wise [is] their riches: [but] the foolishness of fools [is] folly.
  25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful [witness] speaketh lies.
  26 In the fear of the Lord [is] strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
  27 The fear of the Lord [is] a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
  28 In the multitude of people [is] the king’s honour: but in the want of people [is] the destruction of the prince.
  29 [He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great understanding: but [he that is] hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
  30 A sound heart [is] the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
  31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
  32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
  33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but [that which is] in the midst of fools is made known.
  34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin [is] a reproach to any people.
  35 The king’s favour [is] toward a wise servant: but his wrath is [against] him that causeth shame.