BOOK 20 OF 66 · WISDOM & POETRY · KING JAMES BIBLE

Proverbs 14

Proverbs book home•Chapter 14 of 31•35 verses

Chapter overviewAt a glance + deeper study

REVIEWED OVERVIEW

Proverbs 14 Overview

The chapter contrasts wise and foolish household-building, prudent knowledge and naive belief, mercy to the poor and contempt for them, confidence in fearing God, and righteousness that exalts a nation.

ProverbsBook

14Chapter

35Verses

PoetryDivision

Before you read Proverbs 14

Coming from

Proverbs 13 emphasized wise instruction shapes work, speech, hope, wealth, and discipline. Because many proverbs are individual sayings rather than a continuous argument, the chapter-to-chapter connection is thematic rather than narrative.

In this chapter

Leads into

Proverbs 15 turns to words, correction, worship, and plans all lie before the lord, expanding wisdom into another set of choices, contrasts, and observations.

Key understandingExplore deeper

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes” warns about self-deception; sincere feelings alone do not establish truth. Proverbs uses compact wisdom sayings to train judgment. Its normal patterns describe how God’s moral order ordinarily works; they are not mechanical guarantees that remove human freedom, suffering, or providence.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Central truth

The fear of the LORD changes homes, speech, compassion, and judgment.

Wisdom truth

In Proverbs 14, wisdom is moral skill under the fear of the LORD, not merely intelligence or practical cleverness.

Fear truth

In Proverbs 14, the fear of the LORD places all other decisions under reverence for God and His truth.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Wisdom connection

James 1:5 says those who lack wisdom should ask God, who gives generously. This connection helps frame Proverbs 14.

Fear connection

1 Peter 1:17 tells believers to pass their sojourning in reverent fear before the impartial Father. This connection helps frame Proverbs 14.

Mercy connection

James 2:1-9 condemns partiality toward the rich and dishonor toward the poor. This connection helps frame Proverbs 14.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep wisdom in context

Do not read Proverbs 14 as a set of magic formulas. Proverbs trains wise judgment in the ordinary moral order God established.

Keep fear in context

The fear of the LORD in Proverbs 14 is reverent submission to God, not terror that a saved person must maintain in order to keep eternal life.

Read Proverbs 14 watching for…

wise woman builds.

simple believes every word.

fear LORD strong confidence.

poor and Maker.

righteousness exalts nation.

Chapter outline4 sections

1-8Wisdom builds, uprightness fears the LORD, and prudence understands the way 9-16Fools mock sin, hearts know their own bitterness, and the prudent consider their steps 17-24Anger, gullibility, poverty, mercy, work, and wisdom reveal character 25-35Truth saves lives; the fear of the LORD gives confidence; righteousness exalts a nation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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