Proverbs 14:1-35·~1 min

The Wise Woman

The chapter opens by contrasting the wise woman's constructive labor with the foolish woman's self-destruction and then links upright conduct with the fear of the LORD, honest witness, and practical discernment. Mockers and fools are shown as noisy, deceptive, and empty, while wisdom is found where one can actually discern the way forward.

E¹very wise woman builds her house, ²He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, ³The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, ⁴Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, ⁵An honest witness does not deceive, ⁶A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, ⁷Stay away from a foolish man; ⁸The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,

These sayings contrast fools who mock guilt and trust appearances with the upright who enjoy favor, stable shelter, and careful judgment. The chapter underscores that the inner life is not fully visible from the outside and that what seems right can still end in death, so the wise proceed with caution rather than easy confidence.

⁹Fools mock the making of amends, ¹⁰The heart knows its own bitterness, ¹¹The house of the wicked will be destroyed, ¹²There is a way that seems right to a man, ¹³Even in laughter the heart may ache, ¹⁴The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, ¹⁵The simple man believes every word, ¹⁶A wise man fears and turns from evil,

Quick temper, foolish inheritance, contempt for the poor, evil plotting, and lazy talk all come under critique, while prudence, labor, kindness to the needy, and faithful planning receive honor and favor. Wisdom here is shown not only in insight but in social posture and industrious effort.

¹⁷A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, ¹⁸The simple inherit folly, ¹⁹The evil bow before the good, ²⁰The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, ²¹He who despises his neighbor sins, ²²Do not those who contrive evil go astray? ²³There is profit in all labor, ²⁴The crown of the wise is their wealth,

The chapter closes by praising truthful witness, the refuge and life that flow from the fear of the LORD, patient understanding, a tranquil heart, honor toward the poor, and righteousness that exalts a nation. It ends with royal approval for wise service and with the reminder that folly ultimately brings shame even under earthly authority.

²⁵A truthful witness saves lives, ²⁶He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, ²⁷The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, ²⁸A large population is a king’s splendor, ²⁹A patient man has great understanding, ³⁰A tranquil heart is life to the body, ³¹Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, ³²The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, ³³Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; ³⁴Righteousness exalts a nation, ³⁵A king delights in a wise servant,

Section summaryThe chapter gathers many short sayings about household strength, upright fear of the LORD, truthful witness, discernment, emotional self-command, compassion for the poor, civic flourishing, and national righteousness. Together they show that wisdom quietly builds while folly loudly unravels, and that the difference is seen in how one speaks, judges, works, reacts, and regards both God and neighbor.

Role in the chapterThis section functions as a wide-angle portrait of wisdom's social fruit. Its work is to show that reverent discernment affects not only the self but the home, the city, the poor, the court, and the kingdom, while folly distorts each sphere through haste, deception, and contempt.