Reflections on Proverbs 14

 

Proverbs 14 (Contemporary English Version)


1. A woman's family is held together by her wisdom, but it can be destroyed by her foolishness.
   
2. By living right, you show that you respect the LORD; by being deceitful, you show that you despise him.
   
3. Proud fools are punished for their stupid talk, but sensible talk can save your life.
   
4. Without the help of an ox there can be no crop, but with a strong ox a big crop is possible.
   
5. An honest witness tells the truth; a dishonest witness tells nothing but lies.
   
6. Make fun of wisdom, and you will never find it. But if you have understanding, knowledge comes easily.
   
7. Stay away from fools, or you won't learn a thing.
   
8. Wise people have enough sense to find their way, but stupid fools get lost.
   
9. Fools don't care if they are wrong, but God is pleased when people do right.
   
10. No one else can really know how sad or happy you are.
    
11. The tent of a good person stands longer than the house of someone evil.
    
12. You may think you are on the right road and still end up dead.
    
13. Sorrow may hide behind laughter, and happiness may end in sorrow.
    
14. You harvest what you plant, whether good or bad.
    
15. Don't be stupid and believe all you hear; be smart and know where you are headed.
    
16. Only a stupid fool is never cautious-- so be extra careful and stay out of trouble.
    
17. Fools have quick tempers, and no one likes you if you can't be trusted.
    
18. Stupidity leads to foolishness; be smart and learn.
    
19. The wicked will come crawling to those who obey God.
    
20. You have no friends if you are poor, but you have lots of friends if you are rich.
    
21. It's wrong to hate others, but God blesses everyone who is kind to the poor.
    
22. It's a mistake to make evil plans, but you will have loyal friends if you want to do right.
    
23. Hard work is worthwhile, but empty talk will make you poor.
    
24. Wisdom can make you rich, but foolishness leads to more foolishness.
    
25. An honest witness can save your life, but liars can't be trusted.
    
26. If you respect the LORD, you and your children have a strong fortress
    
27. and a life-giving fountain that keeps you safe from deadly traps.
    
28. Rulers of powerful nations are held in honor; rulers of weak nations are nothing at all.
    
29. It's smart to be patient, but it's stupid to lose your temper.
    
30. It's healthy to be content, but envy can eat you up.
    
31. If you mistreat the poor, you insult your Creator; if you are kind to them, you show him respect.
    
32. In times of trouble the wicked are destroyed, but even at death the innocent have faith.
    
33. Wisdom is found in the minds of people with good sense, but fools don't know it.
    
34. Doing right brings honor to a nation, but sin brings disgrace.
    
35. Kings reward servants who act wisely, but they punish those who act foolishly.
    

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If there is a central verse in chapter 14, I would consider it to be verse 8 with the statement, "The sensible man's wisdom is to consider his way." It seems that central to these "words to the wise" is to give consideration to what we do. Obviously the foolishness of fools are unconsidered acts. But what about verse 4, "Where there are no oxen, the feeding-trough is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of an ox." It is saying that if one wants an abundant harvest they need to consider the wisdom of investing in oxen. It is not enough to work hard for a good harvest. One needs to think about the best way - consider his way - for an abundant harvest. Socrates said that the unconsidered life is not worth living. This seems to be in line with what Solomon is saying. However, verse 12 gives us a caution, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." It is not enough simply to consider our ways. We do not have enough wisdom within in us to understand the best path. We need to seek counsel as we consider our way. Certainly the counsel of others is good, but the counsel we need always to be seeking is that of the Lord.

If we will but consider our way, not relying only on our own understanding, we will avoid the errors to which Solomon cautions against.  In Proverbs 3:5 Solomon tells us to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding" From this starting point, then, go ahead and read the rest of chapter 14 and consider your way accordingly.