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Proverbs 14

35 verses

TL;DR

Proverbs 14 contrasts the outcomes of wisdom and folly, emphasizing righteous living, reverence for God, and the practical consequences of character.

Summary

The chapter opens with the theme of wisdom building a stable life while folly destroys it, setting up a pattern of contrasts throughout. Verses 2-8 explore moral distinctions—uprightness leads to fear of the Lord, pride in the fool’s mouth, and the practical results of strength or lack thereof. The middle section (9‑20) shifts to the consequences of actions: wickedness leads to destruction, honesty is valued, and poverty and wealth shape social dynamics. Verses 21‑27 further underscore divine guidance, warning against harshness towards the poor and rewarding those who honor God. The final verses (28‑35) highlight the role of leadership and community, noting how kings favor the wise and how nations are elevated or reproached by righteousness or sin. Throughout, the wisdom literature uses concise sayings to teach ethical living and the certainty of divine justice.

Outline
  1. 1. Contrasting wisdom and folly in practical life (v.1‑8)
  2. 2. Moral consequences of character and social relations (v.9‑20)
  3. 3. Divine guidance, authority, and communal impact (v.21‑35)
Themes
Wisdom vs. FollyConsequences of Righteousness and WickednessReverence for God and Divine Justice
Keywords
wisdomfoolishnessLorduprightnessfearrichpoorkingtruthdeceitmercy
People
LordKingPrince
Places
Things
wisdomfoolishnessuprightnessfear of the Lordhonestyjusticemercyrichespovertyleadership
Key Verses
  • Proverbs 14:2: Highlights the fear of the Lord as the hallmark of uprightness versus the contempt of the wicked.
  • Proverbs 14:11: Shows the inevitable downfall of the wicked and the flourishing of the upright.
  • Proverbs 14:16: Illustrates the wise’s fear of evil versus the fool’s confidence, underscoring the practical value of wisdom.
Questions
  • What does it mean to ‘fear the Lord’ in the context of everyday life?
  • How do the proverbs link personal character with societal outcomes?
  • Why does the text emphasize the importance of honest witnesses?
  • In what ways does the chapter address the treatment of the poor?
  • How can modern readers apply the distinction between wisdom and folly today?
Sentiment

mixed
The passage balances commendation of wisdom and fear of God with warnings against folly, reflecting both encouragement and critique.