(Prov 14:1 NASB) The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.
Prov 14:1: The woman has a unique role in building her house. It takes constant work and industrious management on her part to raise a family and to build a household.
On the other hand, a foolish woman can ruin her household and her marriage (1 Kings 21:24-25).
(Prov 14:2 NASB) He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, But he who is crooked in his ways despises Him.
(Prov 14:3 NASB) In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back, But the lips of the wise will preserve them.
(Prov 14:4 NASB) Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much increase comes by the strength of the ox.
Prov 14:4: There is no milk without some manure. There is a price for growth and accomplishment.
(Prov 14:5 NASB) A faithful witness will not lie, But a false witness speaks lies.
(Prov 14:6 NASB) A scoffer seeks wisdom, and finds none, But knowledge is easy to him who has understanding.
Prov 14:6: Scoffers will never achieve wisdom. But knowledge is easy for those who have understanding (Psalm 119:18, 98-100, Matt. 13:11-12, James 1:5, 1 Chron. 22:12-13, 2 Chron. 1:10-12).
(Prov 14:7 NASB) Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge.
Prov 14:7: This is probably one that should be tucked in the back of our minds at all times.
(Prov 14:8 NASB) The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit.
(Prov 14:9 NASB) Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is good will.
(Prov 14:10 NASB) The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy.
Prov 14:10: There is some bitterness in our hearts at times. The joy in our hearts should be shared with those we love.
(Prov 14:11 NASB) The house of the wicked will be destroyed, But the tent of the upright will flourish.
(Prov 14:12 NASB) There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
Prov 14:12: Man’s ways seem right to him, but it leads to death (Matt. 7:13-14, Jer. 6:16, Luke 13:24, James 1:22-25).
(Prov 14:13 NASB) Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief.
(Prov 14:14 NASB) The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his.
Prov 14:14: The backslider will find pleasure in continually going his own way. The good man will be satisfied with his ways (Isa. 3:10-11).
(Prov 14:15 NASB) The naive believes everything, But the prudent man considers his steps.
(Prov 14:16 NASB) A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless.
(Prov 14:17 NASB) A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of evil devices is hated.
(Prov 14:18 NASB) The naive inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
(Prov 14:19 NASB) The evil will bow down before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
Prov 14:19: The evil will bow down before the good (Psalm 49:14-15, Isa. 60:14-16).
(Prov 14:20 NASB) The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many.
Prov 14:20: Perhaps the meaning is “it is easier to dislike the poor.”
(Prov 14:21 NASB) He who despises his neighbor sins, But happy is he who is gracious to the poor.
(Prov 14:22 NASB) Will they not go astray who devise evil? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.
(Prov 14:23 NASB) In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.
(Prov 14:24 NASB) The crown of the wise is their riches, But the folly of fools is foolishness.
(Prov 14:25 NASB) A truthful witness saves lives, But he who speaks lies is treacherous.
Prov 14:25: A witness may save lives or deceitfully destroy the innocent.
(Prov 14:26 NASB) In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge.
(Prov 14:27 NASB) The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.
(Prov 14:28 NASB) In a multitude of people is a king’s glory, But in the death of people is a prince’s ruin.
(Prov 14:29 NASB) He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.
Prov 14:29: In the fear of Yahweh is strong confidence and a fountain of life. We should control our temper.
(Prov 14:30 NASB) A tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones.
(Prov 14:31 NASB) He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.
(Prov 14:32 NASB) The wicked is thrust down by his wrongdoing, But the righteous has a refuge when he dies.
(Prov 14:33 NASB) Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, But in the bosom of fools it is made known.
Prov 14:33: The wise man does not parade his knowledge. The fool boasts of what little he knows.
(Prov 14:34 NASB) Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.
(Prov 14:35 NASB) The king’s favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, But his anger is toward him who acts shamefully.
Prov 14:35: Our father treats us the same way.
Patrick McGuire
Copyright 2014 Patrick McGuire and Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly All rights reserved, no portion of this Lesson may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews. Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly Fort Smith, Arkansas