Chapter 14
Same form as the previous chapters. Single verse per proverb, and there are the various forms seen above. Many simple w/u and u/w, with a few of the others thrown in.
2021 - 2 Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is devious in his ways despises him. [Pro 14:2 ESV]. Do Proverbs work both ways, that is, are they Boolean in construction. This construction is along the lines of If A, then B, if NOT A then NOT B. Sort of. It is really stronger than that, and the words are not precisely opposite. The devious might be a subset of the "not righteous", and the despisers a subset of those who do not fear God. But I don't think it says that all who are unrighteous are devious. So the next question is, are all who despise him devious? And again I think not. You can be devious and not despise God.
2021 - 5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. [Pro 14:5 ESV]
This seems pretty redundant at first glance. But I think that second part means that a false witness tells lies with every breath. Kinda gives you a different sense when you read it that way. Ought to make it easy to track down whether they are faithful or false really quickly. If lying is like breathing, there will be a long trail of lies behind them - to their spouses, their landlords, all their creditors in fact, and most of their "friends". A good lawyer will dig into the reputation for lying of the other side's witnesses.
Possible FB post.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. [Pro 14:6 ESV]. Is this instruction or commentary only? Can you change yourself from scoffer to man of understanding? According to James, in the NT, you can.
Look at these two, separated by a couple of verses, but the same:
10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy. ... 13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. [Pro 14:10, 13 ESV]
There's a lot here.
2024 - This verse I really like:
23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. [Pro 14:23 ESV]. Does this "toil" always mean physical labor, or can it mean study - Bible study, Greek, photography, shooting and such, art - painting and such, music - piano, violin and such. Hmm...here is the definition of Strongs H6089 - "ate'-seb".
pain, hurt, toil, sorrow, labour, hardship
pain
hurt, offense
toil, hardship
vessel, creation, object
(TWOT) idol
Used only 7 times in the KJV. In three of those it is "sorrow". twice "labor", once "grief". So not seeing a lot artistic endeavor there, nor even plowing the lower 40 really. More like dealing with the bad things that will inevitably come our way in life all bring some kind of gain with them. ESV translates the word "toil" which to me has the connotation of "forced labor", or work in excess of what is reasonable. The word ought to be associated with adversity, not with chosen self-improvement or advancement. This word does not imply that the toil itself will lead to physical or material gain. Seems to be more about learning/maturing from difficult circumstances. Too bad. I liked my way of looking at it better...But I'm going with what Solomon meant, not what I want him to mean!
2025 - This verse in NASB95:
30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones.[Pro 14:30 NASB95]
30 A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. [Pro 14:30 ESV]
I sure hope ESV is the better translation! Passion is rotten? Never get excited, never be firm?
Where other translations deviate, it says envy or jealousy in most cases. Even NASB20 changes it to jealousy.
2021 - 33 Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools. [Pro 14:33 ESV]. Universal conscience. General revelation.