FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Proverbs 14:5
KJVA faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
Read it in context
The Wise Woman
Start reading at Proverbs 14:1 (Proverbs 14:1 to Proverbs 14:35).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
- 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
- 14:2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
- 14:3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
- 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
- 14:5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
- 14:6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
- 14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
- 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
- 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
- 14:10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
- 14:11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
- 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
- 14:13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
- 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
- 14:15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
- 14:16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
- 14:17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
- 14:18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
- 14:19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
- 14:20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
- 14:21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
- 14:22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
- 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
- 14:24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
- 14:25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
- 14:26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
- 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
- 14:28 In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
- 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
- 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
- 14:31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
- 14:32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
- 14:33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
- 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
- 14:35 The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Solomon is the principal named contributor, with additional sayings of the wise, Agur, and King Lemuel's mother's instruction. Hezekiah's men are credited with copying a collection of Solomon's proverbs. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 25:1; Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Proverbs 10:1–21:31): The sayings instruct learners in Israel's wisdom tradition. The righteous, wicked, wise, foolish, rulers, and household members are examples or subjects of the sayings, not necessarily the immediate people being addressed. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Learners seeking wisdom, especially the young and inexperienced, as well as wise readers seeking further understanding. The repeated son-address presents parental or teacherly instruction. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 1:8. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Wise Woman. Read Proverbs 14:1 through Proverbs 14:35 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book identifies more than one collection, including proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men. It does not give a date for the origin of every individual saying. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The instruction draws on household, workplace, city gate, court, and other everyday settings. Many sayings describe a general situation rather than one dated incident. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Wise Woman (Proverbs 14:1 to Proverbs 14:35). Start reading at Proverbs 14:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament identifies Christ with the wisdom of God. Relating wisdom instruction to Him is a canonical connection; the personification of wisdom should not automatically be treated as a literal description of Christ's origin. See Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Practice truthful speech, teachability, justice, diligence, and self-control. Read proverbial generalizations with their genre in view rather than as guarantees that ignore circumstance or the book's other sayings. interpretation
Cited: Proverbs 14:1, Proverbs 14:35, Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30
Who wrote it, and how we know
Solomon, with Agur and Lemuel
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names Solomon, and also Agur and King Lemuel, and notes that Hezekiah's men copied out further proverbs.
Proverbs 1:1Proverbs 25:1Proverbs 30:1Proverbs 31:1
Early traditionTradition credits Solomon as the principal author.
What is debatedThe book itself describes later collecting, so it reached its final form after Solomon.
Related passages
- A faithful witness will not lie: but a fa… Prov 14:25 Prov 6:19 Prov 12:17 Prov 13:5 Prov 19:5,9 Exod 20:16 Exod 23:1 1 Kgs 21:13
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs 14
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Instruction and wisdom's call
Proverbs 1:1–9:18FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeExtended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Words of the wise
Proverbs 22:17–24:34FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Further proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 25:1–29:27FocusCollected wisdom for life and rule
Connection to the wholeThe sayings identified with Hezekiah's copying activity extend the collection's instruction concerning conduct and leadership.
interpretation The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:1–33FocusHuman limits and ordered observations
Connection to the wholeAgur's words combine confession of limited understanding, prayer, and numerical sayings about the world and human conduct.
interpretation The words of Lemuel and the capable woman
Proverbs 31:1–31FocusJust rule and faithful work
Connection to the wholeThe final chapter joins instruction concerning rulers with an ordered portrait of a woman's capable and generous work.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.