Tanak Foundations-Concepts in Proverbs-Chapter 14

Prov 14.1-35 again carries the contrast between the righteous and the wicked.

v 1…The wise woman (the virtuous woman) builds her house (makes it better by being a good woman, knowing how to handle money, and looking after her house with virtue), but the foolish tears it down with her own hands (by supporting and building folly and makes the home a worse place).

v 2…He who walks in his uprightness (as defined by the Torah) fears (has reverence for) Yehovah, but he who is crooked in his ways (is not Torah observant) despises him (Yehovah; doesn’t care).

v 3…In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride (their words bring judgment on themselves), but the lips of the wise will preserve them (they will be resued by their own words).

v 4…Where no oxen are, the manger is clean (empty, no work being done and no mess), but much increase comes by the strength of the ox (the mess of the ox is worth it because it brings increase and good).

v 5…A faithful witness will not lie (bear false witness against his neighbor), but a false witness speaks lies (he is disposed to lying, it’s a regular thing).

v 6…A scoffer seeks wisdom, and finds none (because he mocks the only source of true wisdom, the Scriptures), but knowledge is easy to him who has understanding (he wants to know the truth of the Scriptures and desires it; he wants comprehension).

v 7…Leave (go) the presence of a fool (“kesil” or a person who takes pleasure in causing contention) or you will not discern (know) words (lips) of knowledge (“da’at” or the knowledge of God in facts).

v 8…The wisdom (chachmah) of the prudent (astute) is to understand his way (to know where he is going), but the folly of fools is deceit (self-deception, blind to their actions thinking it is acceptable).

v 9…Fools (“evilim” and the same as “kesilim”) mock at sin (“asham” or guilt), but among the upright there is good will (the favor of God).

v 10…The heart knows its own bitterness (best acquainted with the pain it has been through), and a stranger does not share its joy (because others cannot enter into the heart. What is true of bitterness is true of joy).

v 11…The house of the wicked will be destroyed (not built on a good foundation of a Torah-based faith in Yeshua), but the tent (smaller and more humble than a house) of the upright will flourish (with the blessings of God).

v 12…There is a way that seems right to a man (sin at first always seems smooth and correct, and they wonder why others don’t follow), but its (sin) end is death (the Second Death-does not always appear that way at first-Matt 7.14-15).

v 13…Even in laughter the heart may be in pain (he hides it), and the end of joy may be grief (because trouble will come and cut short any outward displays of joy).

v 14…The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways (the punishment of their sin), but a good man will be satisfied with his (the results of his own works, blessed in his deeds).

v 15…The naive (simple, inexperienced) believes everything (like a sponge), but the prudent man considers his steps (considers well the words or doctrines he hears, whether they are in line with the Scriptures-Isa 8.20).

v 16… A wise man is cautious (fears) and turns away from evil (does not want to offend Yehovah), but a fool (“kesil”) is arrogant (rage, with a temper) and careless (self-confident).

v 17…A quick-tempered man acts foolishly (rushes into a passionate fit quickly) and a man of evil devices is hated (since he is more crafty and devious, he is more dangerous than the quick-tempered man because he takes his time).

v 18…The naive (simple, inexperienced, sponge) inherit folly (because they don’t learn from others), but the prudent are crowned (surrounded) with knowledge (that they have gathered around them through experience).

v 19…The evil will bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

v 20…The poor is hated even by his neighbor (has few friends) but those who love the rich are many (and partake of his riches).

v 21…He who despises his neighbor sins (neglects them in their need), but happy is he who is gracious to the poor.

v 22…Will they not go astray who devise evil (and bring destruction on themselves), but kindness and truth will be to those who devise good (we should plan to do good with the same passion as those who plan evil.

v 23…In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

v 24…The crown of the wise is their riches (it came through wisdom and hard work), but the folly of fools is foolishness (their crown).

v 25…A truthful witness saves lives (from false charges that could lead to death), but he who speaks lies is treacherous (deceitful).

v 26…In the fear (reverence) of Yehovah there is strong confidence (reliance), and his children will have refuge (they will benefit because they follow the ways of their father/parents).

v 27…The fear (reverence) of Yehovah is a fountain (source) of life (Deut 30.6), that one may avoid the snares of death (where there is no fear of Yehovah, sin abounds).

v 28…In the multitude of people is a king’s glory (they will serve him to establish his kingdom), but in the lack of people is a prince’s ruin (will bring about his downfall).

v 29…He who is slow to anger has great understanding (able to control himself at all times), but he who is quick-tempered (short of spirit) exalts folly (makes a fool of himself).

v 30…A tranquil heart (desires, innermost being) is life (health) to the body, but passion (envy) is rottenness (poison) to the bones.

v 31…He who oppresses the poor reproaches his maker (it is a sin against the poor and an insult to God), but he who is gracious (merciful) to the needy honors him.

v 32…The wicked is thrust down (being of no benefit) by his wrongdoing (calamity), but the righteous has a refuge when he dies (the Olam Haba).

v 33…Wisdom rests in the heart (innermost being) of one who has understanding (“binah” or comprehension), but in the bosom (among, in the midst) of fools (kesilim) it is made known (the emptiness of their intellect. In other words, it is better to say nothing and look like you don’t know anything then to open your mouth and remove all doubt).

v 34…Righteousness (tzedekah as defined by the Torah) exalts a nation, but sin (as defined by the Torah) is a reproach (insult) to any people.

v 35…The king’s favor is toward a wise servant (prefers someone who has discretion), but his anger is toward him who acts shamefully (in the king’s affairs).

Posted in All Teachings, Articles, Idioms, Phrases and Concepts, Prophecy/Eschatology, The Festivals of the Lord, The Tanak, Tying into the New Testament

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