Proverbs 14

Proverbs 14:1

EVery wise woman buildeth her house] Encreaseth the welfare of it, by looking well to her children and servants: but foolish women ruine the family. Pride then must not make a man despise the counsell of a prudent wife, nor affection force him to give way to a foolish.

Proverbs 14:2

He that walketh in his uprightnesse seareth the Lord] Mens courses shew, whether they fear God, or despise him.

but be that is perverse in his wayes, despiseth him] Job 12:4.

Proverbs 14:3

In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride] His proud tongue shall cause him to be punished, chap. 10. 8, 10.

Proverbs 14:4

where no oxen are, the crib is clean] By the ox is meant labour, and by the barne: meaning, without labour, there is no food for cattell, much lesse for men.

Proverbs 14:5

A faithfull witnesse will not lie] Exodus 20:16. and Exodus 23:1. chap. 6. 19. and 12. 17.

A faithfull] Heb. Of faithfulnesses.

Proverbs 14:6

A scorner secketh wisdom, and findeth it not] For the maintenance of his own ambition, as Simon Magus did, Acts 8. 18, 19. and not for Gods glory.

knowledge is easie unto him that understandeth] Chap. 8.

Proverbs 14:9

Fools make a mock at sin] Chap. 10. 23. They that know not the grievousnesse of sin, nor Gods judgements that follow it: or, it may be read. Sin mocksfools: It deceives them of Gods favour, which they expect, in vain, but righteous men, which are truely wise, have it among them.

Proverbs 14:10

The heart knoweth his own bitternesse] Other men know not whether we joy, or grieve, on good ground, nor have no part in our inward joy or grief, till we reveal it.

his own bitternesse] Heb. the bitternesse of his soul.

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man] Chap. 16. 25.

Proverbs 14:13

and the end of that mirth is heavinesse] He sheweth, that the allurement unto sin seemeth sweet, but the end thereof is destruction.

Proverbs 14:14

The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own wayes] He that forsaketh God shall be punished, and made weary of his sins, wherein he delighted.

filled with his own wayes] Chap. 1. 31. and 12. 14.

a good man shall be satisfied from himself] Heb. from with himself. That is, by those graces, and comforts that God hath given him: or, from the goodnesse of his actions, though others discourage him.

Proverbs 14:17

a man of wicked devices is hated] Men can bear with him that is rashly angry, but they hate him that deviseth mischief to others in cool blood: or, a man that conceals the mischief he contrives, is hated, 2 Samuel 13:22.

Proverbs 14:20

The poor is hated even of his own neighbour] Chap. 19. 7.

neighbour] Or, friend.

the rich hath many friends] Heb. many are the lovers of the rich.

Proverbs 14:21

He that despiseth his neighbour, sinneth] He that will not give to the poor, shall be punished as a sinner, although he take nothing from them.

but be that mercy on the poor, happy is he] Psalms 112:9.

Proverbs 14:22

Do they not erre that devise evil?] They that seek to hurt others, go out of the way of safety themselves, and perish miserably.

mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good] Gods mercifull promise shall be made good to them.

Proverbs 14:23

the talk of the lips tendeth onely to penury] Talk without study or labour, makes no man rich.

Proverbs 14:24

The crown of the wise is their riches] Riches honour wise men that use them well, but make fools more contemptible.

Proverbs 14:25

A true witnesse delivereth souls, but a deceitfull witnesse speaketh lies] Verse 5.

A true witnesse delivereth souls] Saveth men by witnessing the truth; whereas false witnesses destroy themselves and others.

souls] Or, lives.

Proverbs 14:26

and his children shall have a place of refuge] Gods children, or the children of him that fears God, Psal. 115. 13, 14.

Proverbs 14:27

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death] Chap. 13. 14.

Proverbs 14:28

In the multitude of people is the kings honour] That is, the strength, as appears by the opposition: for a king without strength hath neither honour nor safety.

Proverbs 14:29

he that is hastie of spirit exalteth solly] Shews it to all men, is things set on high are seen far.

hasty of spirit] Heb. short of spirit.

Proverbs 14:30

A sound heart is the life of the flesh] A heart free from passions preserveth the health of the body.

envy the rotterunesse of the bones] Psalms 112:10.

Proverbs 14:31

He that oppresseth the poor, reproacheth his maker] Chap. 17. 5. Matthew 25:40.

reproacheth his maker] His own maker, or the maker of the poor: for God made him, and in that state, not to be despised, but to be relieved.

but he that honoureth him, hath] Or, but he honoureth him that hath.

Proverbs 14:32

in] Or, for.

hath hope in his death] Job 13:15. and Job 19:26. Psalms 23:4. 2 Corinthians 1:9.

Proverbs 14:34

Righteousnesse exalteth a nation] A mean people grows great and honourable by justice, whereas a great nation is ruined by injustice, and suffering sin to be unpunished.

to any people] Heb. to nations.

Proverbs 14:35

his wrath is against him that causeth shame] By doing the kings businesse foolishly, whereas he that doth it wisely, gets the king credit, Isaiah 22:18.