Proverbs 14
14:1 a Building or tearing down the home is a metaphor for strengthening or weakening one’s family.14:2 b The path is a metaphor for life and conduct (see 2:13 c, 20 d; 3:6 e; 4:11 f; 6:23 g).
• fear the Lord: See 1:7 h.
14:3 i A fool’s word can be used against him.
14:4 j It’s easy to keep a stable ... clean if it is empty, but a farmer without an ox has no harvest.
14:5 k Honest speech and lies both flow from deep within a person’s character. Cp. 12:17 l.
14:9 m The godly acknowledge their mistakes and sins, leading to change and reconciliation. Fools defend themselves by making fun of guilt.
14:10 n No one can fully understand the emotions of another (cp. Ps 103:14 o; Isa 63:9 p; Nah 1:7 q; Rom 8:27 r). Bitterness and joy are at opposite ends of the emotional spectrum; this poetic device of referring to polar opposites (merism) covers the whole range in between.
14:11 s Although a house is typically more stable than a tent, wickedness destroys and tears down, while godliness builds up (14:1 t).
14:12 u // 16:25 v The right choice is not always the one that seems right on the surface (see Matt 7:13-14 w).
14:13 x A person’s outward demeanor might not reflect what is in the heart.
14:14 y Backsliders foolishly act against what they know to be good and right and wise.
14:17 z Short-tempered people do not anticipate consequences before expressing anger. Schemers reflect, but they, too, are hated because of the evil that they do.
14:18 aa are clothed with foolishness: One’s true nature and heart attitude will eventually show in one’s demeanor.
14:20 ab This proverb might commend moderation, having neither too little nor too much (30:7-9 ac).
14:21 ad blessed are those who help the poor: See also 3:27-28 ae; 11:24 af; 28:27 ag; 29:7 ah, 14 ai.
14:24 aj This proverb states a general principle, even though fools sometimes have wealth (10:2 ak; 11:18 al), and poverty is not always the result of foolishness (cp. 13:23 am; 16:8 an).
14:28 ao The well-being and growth of the people, not wealth or military victory, are the true signs of a king’s success.
14:29 ap Wise people can control their emotions and express them appropriately.
14:30 aq A peaceful heart has resolved its inner tensions. Freedom from jealousy is beneficial to physical health.
14:31 ar Wise people help the poor (cp. 11:24-26 as; 28:27 at; see Lev 19:9-10 au; Deut 15:11 av; 24:10-15 aw; Isa 3:14-15 ax; Jer 2:34 ay; see also Jas 2:1-13 az).
• insult their Maker: See also Prov 17:5 ba.
14:32 bb Proverbs infrequently hints at life after death. Some scholars think this verse refers to God’s granting courage to face death with dignity and serenity.
14:34 bc A great nation is not defined by wealth, power, or military victories (14:28 bd) but by godliness.
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