Chapter 14
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
2He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
6A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
7Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
9Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
10The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
11The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
13Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
14The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
15The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
17He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
18The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
21He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
23In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
24The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
25A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
26In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
28In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
29He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
30A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
32The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
34Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
35The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.”
Overview
Solomon explores the practical outworkings of wisdom and folly in daily life. Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her hands. The chapter warns against a way that seems right to a man but ends in death, explores the difference between genuine laughter and superficial mirth, and declares that righteousness exalts a nation. The fear of the Lord is presented as a fountain of life and a place of strong confidence.
Key Themes
The Deceptive Way That Seems Right
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death — human reasoning apart from God's wisdom leads to catastrophic miscalculation.
The Fear of the Lord as a Fountain of Life
In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence, and His children shall have a place of refuge — fearing God is not cowering but trusting in unshakeable security.
Building or Destroying One's House
Wisdom builds the household, but folly dismantles it — the daily choices of the wise and foolish determine whether homes, relationships, and communities flourish or fall apart.
Study Questions
Why does Solomon repeat the warning that 'there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death' (v. 12)? What makes this deception so dangerous?
What does it mean that 'even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness' (v. 13)?
How does the 'fountain of life' in the fear of the Lord (v. 27) provide practical daily guidance and protection?
What does 'righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people' (v. 34) teach about the moral foundation of societies?
How does the contrast between the wise woman who builds her house and the foolish one who tears it down (v. 1) apply to leadership in any context?
Connection to Christ
Jesus is 'the way, the truth, and the life' (John 14:6) — the only way that does not end in death. He is the fountain of living water from which eternal life flows. Christ builds His house, the church, upon an unshakeable foundation, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Proverbs 14. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?