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Summary

Proverbs 14:1–9 – Houses Built or Broken

What happens: A wise woman builds her house; folly tears it down. Those who walk straight fear the Lord; the crooked despise Him. Without oxen the manger is clean, yet strength brings increase. A faithful witness tells truth; a false one lies. The scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge is easy to the discerning. Fools mock guilt, but among the upright there is favor.

What it means: God blesses wise builders who fear Him. Fruitful labor, though messy, is better than empty ease. Truth-telling reflects God’s holiness. Repentance, not mockery, opens doors to grace.

Proverbs 14:10–19 – Hidden Hearts and Clear Outcomes

What happens: Each heart knows its own bitterness and joy. The house of the wicked is destroyed; the tent of the upright flourishes. A way can seem right and end in death. The naive believe anything; the prudent consider their steps. The evil bow before the good, and sinners at the gates of the righteous.

What it means: God sees inner realities no one else shares. Appearances deceive, but God’s moral order stands. Prudence guards life by testing paths. In the end God vindicates the righteous.

Proverbs 14:20–27 – Neighbor Love, Work, and Reverence

What happens: The poor are disliked, but the rich have many friends. Despising a neighbor is sin; kindness to the poor brings blessing. In all labor there is profit; talk alone leads to poverty. The fear of the Lord gives strong confidence and is a fountain of life.

What it means: God defends the poor and commands love of neighbor. Diligent work honors God’s design and meets needs. Reverence for God provides refuge and renewal. Community thrives where mercy and industry meet.

Proverbs 14:28–35 – Leadership, Temper, and National Righteousness

What happens: A ruler’s glory is in a thriving people. The patient have understanding; the quick-tempered exalt folly. A tranquil heart gives life, but envy rots the bones. Oppressing the poor insults their Maker; generosity honors Him. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach.

What it means: God measures leaders by justice and care for people. Patience reflects His wisdom; envy corrodes life. Mercy to the poor honors God’s image in them. Public righteousness brings God’s favor on a people.

Application

  • Build your “house” with truth, patience, and steady work.
  • Test your path; do not trust appearances without wisdom.
  • Honor God by serving the poor and seeking peace.

Bible

1Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

2He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

4Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

5A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

6A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

7Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

9Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

10The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

11The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

13Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

14The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

15The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

17He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

18The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

21He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

22Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

23In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

24The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

25A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

26In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

28In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

29He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

30A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

32The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

34Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

35The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

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