God Speaks
A wise woman builds her home,
but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
2 Those who follow the right path fear the Lord;
those who take the wrong path despise him.
3 A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him,
but the words of the wise keep them safe.
4 Without oxen a stable stays clean,
but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.
5 An honest witness does not lie;
a false witness breathes lies.
6 A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it,
but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
7 Stay away from fools,
for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.
8 The prudent understand where they are going,
but fools deceive themselves.
9 Fools make fun of guilt,
but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can fully share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the godly will flourish.
12 There is a path before each person that seems right,
but it ends in death.
13 Laughter can conceal a heavy heart,
but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.
14 Backsliders get what they deserve;
good people receive their reward.
15 Only simpletons believe everything they’re told!
The prudent carefully consider their steps.
16 The wise are cautious and avoid danger;
fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.
17 Short-tempered people do foolish things,
and schemers are hated.
18 Simpletons are clothed with foolishness,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evil people will bow before good people;
the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.
20 The poor are despised even by their neighbors,
while the rich have many “friends.”
21 It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor;
blessed are those who help the poor.
22 If you plan to do evil, you will be lost;
if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.
23 Work brings profit,
but mere talk leads to poverty!
24 Wealth is a crown for the wise;
the effort of fools yields only foolishness.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is a traitor.
26 Those who fear the Lord are secure;
he will be a refuge for their children.
27 Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain;
it offers escape from the snares of death.
28 A growing population is a king’s glory;
a prince without subjects has nothing.
29 People with understanding control their anger;
a hot temper shows great foolishness.
30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
31 Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
but helping the poor honors him.
32 The wicked are crushed by disaster,
but the godly have a refuge when they die.
33 Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart;
wisdom is not found among fools.
34 Godliness makes a nation great,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 A king rejoices in wise servants
but is angry with those who disgrace him.
Source: New Living Translation: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: For purpose of study in comparison and contrast, Proverbs 14 is presented here with the good or godly statements in italic.
1. A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
2. Those who follow the right path fear the LORD; those who take the wrong path despise Him.
3. A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.
4. Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.
5. An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies.
6. A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
7. Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.
8. The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.
9. Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge and seek reconciliation.
10. Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.
11. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish.
12. There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
13. Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.
14. Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward.
15. Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.
16. The wise are cautious [fear the LORD] and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.
17. Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated.
18. Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19. Evil people bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.
20. The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many “friends.”
21. It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.
22. If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good [and carry it out], you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.
23. Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!
24. Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness.
25. A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.
26. Those who fear the LORD are secure; He will be a refuge for their children.
27. Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.
28. A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing.
29. People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.
30. A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
31. Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors Him.
32. The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die.
33. Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.
34. Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35. A king rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him.
Consider the following questions regarding Proverbs 14:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1. God rewards those honor Him and are wise and godly toward others, especially the poor.
2. People have a choice in all of their decisions and actions to be wise and godly (turning toward the LORD) or foolish and wicked (turning away from Him).
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Proverbs 14?
Dear LORD God, You are the source of all wisdom. Thank You for making me secure as I seek to live a wise and godly life by the help of Your Spirit. Thank You that Jesus made all of this possible through His life, death, and resurrection. Please help me to avoid involvement with foolish people, so that I don’t get ensnared by them. Help me not to believe everything I hear but check it out with You so that I can know what is really true. I want to bring You glory, LORD, by living a godly life. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Proverbs 14? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will be wise as I care for my home and possessions.
- I will ask God to show me how to have a peaceful heart which should lead to a healthy body (lower blood pressure?).
- I will be a truthful witness and hopefully save lives spiritually and physically.
- I will trust the LORD in the midst of disaster and watch for how He will help me.
Share: I plan to share what I learned with ____________.