American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Proverbs 14
2
He that walks in his uprightness fears the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despises him.
Reference
3
In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 12:6
4
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 13:23
5
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 13:5
Witness
Proverbs 19:5
Proverbs 6:19
Exodus 23:1
Proverbs 12:17
Proverbs 14:25
Proverbs 19:9
6
A scorner seeks wisdom, and finds it not: but knowledge is easy to him that understands.
Reference
7
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you perceive not in him the lips of knowledge.
Reference
11
The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
Reference
Evil
Proverbs 3:33
Proverbs 12:7
Job 21:28
Proverbs 21:12
Parallel theme
Job 8:15
Zechariah 5:4
Psalm 128:3
Proverbs 11:28
14
The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
Reference
Good
Proverbs 12:14
Parallel theme
Galatians 6:8
Hebrews 3:12
Jeremiah 8:5
Jeremiah 2:19
John 4:14
Galatians 6:4
15
The simple believes every word: but the prudent man looks well to his going.
Reference
Faith
1 John 4:1
Parallel theme
Proverbs 14:8
Ephesians 5:17
Proverbs 4:26
Proverbs 27:12
Ephesians 4:14
22
Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
Reference
24
The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
26
In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
Reference
Parallel theme
Malachi 4:2
Ecclesiastes 7:18
Genesis 31:42
References Lord
Proverbs 19:23
Proverbs 18:10
Isaiah 33:6
Psalm 112:1
Acts 9:31
28
In the multitude of people is the king's honor: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
Reference
Kingdom
2 Kings 13:7
29
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalts folly.
Reference
Judgment
James 1:19
Proverbs 15:18
Parallel theme
Proverbs 14:17
Proverbs 19:11
Numbers 12:3
Matthew 11:29
Proverbs 25:8
Spirit
Ecclesiastes 7:9
Proverbs 16:32
Proverbs 25:28
31
He that oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker: but he that honors him has mercy on the poor.
Reference
Grace
Proverbs 14:21
Parallel theme
Proverbs 22:2
Proverbs 17:5
Proverbs 19:17
Proverbs 22:16
1 John 4:21
Ecclesiastes 5:8
Psalm 12:5
John 12:8
32
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous has hope in his death.
Reference
Evil
Psalm 23:4
2 Timothy 4:18
Parallel theme
2 Corinthians 5:8
Revelation 14:13
Genesis 49:18
Psalm 37:37
Job 13:15
2 Corinthians 1:9
Righteousness
Proverbs 24:16
33
Wisdom rests in the heart of him that has understanding: but that which is in the middle of fools is made known.
Reference
Summary of Proverbs 14
Proverbs 14 presents wisdom as a way of building a life that is stable, thoughtful, and compassionate. The chapter moves through many subjects, but its central message is that people often create their own future through the habits and attitudes they practice every day.
It begins with the home. A wise person builds up the household, while foolish behavior can slowly destroy it. This gives the chapter an important starting point: wisdom is constructive. It creates, strengthens, protects, and improves. Foolishness tends to do the opposite.
The chapter then reminds us that our outward actions reveal something about our relationship with God. A person who respects the LORD seeks to walk in a right direction, while someone who chooses crooked paths shows that his life is moving away from God's ways.
One of the clearest warnings in the chapter is that appearances can be misleading.
A path may look completely right and still lead to destruction. A person may appear happy while carrying deep sorrow. Someone may appear successful while living without wisdom. This means that good judgment requires more than simply trusting what seems obvious.
Wisdom therefore involves looking deeper.
The chapter also highlights the importance of discernment. A foolish person believes everything he hears, while a wise person carefully considers what he is told before acting. This is especially important because people can be influenced by misleading information, bad advice, or impulsive emotions.
Another major theme is self-control.
The person who becomes angry quickly is described as foolish, while patience is connected with understanding. Wisdom does not mean that a person never becomes angry. It means that anger does not control his decisions.
This becomes especially important in relationships. A careless reaction can turn a small disagreement into a major conflict. Patience gives a person time to think before responding.
The chapter also speaks honestly about poverty and social inequality.
People sometimes treat the poor differently from the wealthy. Proverbs does not simply describe this reality; it challenges it. To oppress someone who is poor is ultimately to insult the Creator who made that person.
Compassion toward vulnerable people is therefore not merely kindness.
It is an act of honoring God.
The chapter also connects righteousness with the health of a larger society. A nation becomes stronger when its people practice justice and righteousness. Sin and corruption, by contrast, bring disgrace.
This shows that wisdom is not only about personal success. The character of individuals influences families, communities, and nations.
The final portion of the chapter returns to the importance of reverence for God. The fear of the LORD is described as a fountain of life and a source of security. It gives people a foundation when circumstances are uncertain.
Overall, Proverbs 14 follows a broad movement:
building the home ? choosing the right path ? controlling emotions ? seeking truth ? caring for others ? practicing justice ? strengthening society ? trusting God.
The chapter teaches that wisdom often looks ordinary.
It is the patience to remain calm.
The humility to admit that appearances can be misleading.
The discipline to think before acting.
The compassion to notice someone else's suffering.
The courage to reject dishonest behavior.
And the faith to trust God rather than one's own limited understanding.
The central message of Proverbs 14 is:
Do not simply follow what feels right or looks successful. Think carefully, control your emotions, listen to wisdom, treat vulnerable people with compassion, and build your life around reverence for God. A wise life is not necessarily the easiest life, but it is a life built on a foundation that can endure.
It begins with the home. A wise person builds up the household, while foolish behavior can slowly destroy it. This gives the chapter an important starting point: wisdom is constructive. It creates, strengthens, protects, and improves. Foolishness tends to do the opposite.
The chapter then reminds us that our outward actions reveal something about our relationship with God. A person who respects the LORD seeks to walk in a right direction, while someone who chooses crooked paths shows that his life is moving away from God's ways.
One of the clearest warnings in the chapter is that appearances can be misleading.
A path may look completely right and still lead to destruction. A person may appear happy while carrying deep sorrow. Someone may appear successful while living without wisdom. This means that good judgment requires more than simply trusting what seems obvious.
Wisdom therefore involves looking deeper.
The chapter also highlights the importance of discernment. A foolish person believes everything he hears, while a wise person carefully considers what he is told before acting. This is especially important because people can be influenced by misleading information, bad advice, or impulsive emotions.
Another major theme is self-control.
The person who becomes angry quickly is described as foolish, while patience is connected with understanding. Wisdom does not mean that a person never becomes angry. It means that anger does not control his decisions.
This becomes especially important in relationships. A careless reaction can turn a small disagreement into a major conflict. Patience gives a person time to think before responding.
The chapter also speaks honestly about poverty and social inequality.
People sometimes treat the poor differently from the wealthy. Proverbs does not simply describe this reality; it challenges it. To oppress someone who is poor is ultimately to insult the Creator who made that person.
Compassion toward vulnerable people is therefore not merely kindness.
It is an act of honoring God.
The chapter also connects righteousness with the health of a larger society. A nation becomes stronger when its people practice justice and righteousness. Sin and corruption, by contrast, bring disgrace.
This shows that wisdom is not only about personal success. The character of individuals influences families, communities, and nations.
The final portion of the chapter returns to the importance of reverence for God. The fear of the LORD is described as a fountain of life and a source of security. It gives people a foundation when circumstances are uncertain.
Overall, Proverbs 14 follows a broad movement:
building the home ? choosing the right path ? controlling emotions ? seeking truth ? caring for others ? practicing justice ? strengthening society ? trusting God.
The chapter teaches that wisdom often looks ordinary.
It is the patience to remain calm.
The humility to admit that appearances can be misleading.
The discipline to think before acting.
The compassion to notice someone else's suffering.
The courage to reject dishonest behavior.
And the faith to trust God rather than one's own limited understanding.
The central message of Proverbs 14 is:
Do not simply follow what feels right or looks successful. Think carefully, control your emotions, listen to wisdom, treat vulnerable people with compassion, and build your life around reverence for God. A wise life is not necessarily the easiest life, but it is a life built on a foundation that can endure.