Proverbs 14:1-35
A Way That Seems Right
1Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
2He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.
3The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
4Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.
5An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.
6A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
7Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.
8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.
9Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.
10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy.
11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.
14The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways.
15The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.
16A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.
17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man 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 man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich.
21He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.
22Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness.
23There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly.
25A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.
26He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.
27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
28A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.
29A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.
30A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
31Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.
32The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death.
33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known.
34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.
Berean Standard Bible
The chapter opens inside a home. The wise woman builds her house, while the foolish one tears it down with her own hands. The saying is not assigning all household labor to women; it is using a household image to show that wisdom creates and folly destroys, often through the choices of the very person who lives there.
The proverbs that follow keep testing appearances. A way can seem right and still end in death. Laughter can hide grief, and a heart can know its own bitterness even when outsiders cannot. These lines resist shallow judgment. We cannot always tell what a person carries by looking at his face, and we should not assume that visible cheer proves inner health.
The chapter praises patience, compassion, and honest work. Whoever oppresses the poor insults their Maker, while kindness toward the needy honors Him. The wise person fears the LORD and turns from evil; the fool is reckless and confident. Fear here is reverent seriousness, not panic.
The final sayings bring private character into public life. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin disgraces any people. A king's honor includes searching out wrong, and a servant who acts wisely may receive favor. The chapter gives no room for a nation or ruler to claim moral exemption: justice matters wherever power is held.
Questions
1 What happens when wisdom governs a household?
AnswerWisdom builds it up through faithful choices, while foolishness can undo a home through the hands and habits of those within it.
2 Why can appearances mislead us?
AnswerA person's laughter may hide grief, and a seemingly right path may lead to death; outward impressions do not reveal everything.
3 How does God view oppression of the poor?
AnswerHe treats it as an insult against their Maker, while mercy toward the needy honors Him.
4 What exalts a nation?
AnswerRighteousness exalts a nation, whereas sin brings disgrace regardless of a people's power or reputation.
What This Means for Us
We need humility about what we think we know of other people. A family member who laughs may still be hurting, and a confident plan may still be crooked. Listening can be more faithful than rushing to interpret.
Justice is also worship. How a household treats the poor, the overlooked, and the people under its authority reveals whether reverence for God has reached beyond words.
Prayer
God, keep us from trusting appearances or our own first impressions. Make our homes places of patient wisdom and our decisions attentive to the poor, the grieving, and anyone whose voice is easy to miss. Amen.