OrdspråksbokenKapitel 14

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The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears hers down with her own hands.

Whoever walks uprightly fears the LORD, but the one whose ways are crooked despises him.

In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.

Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but a strong ox brings an abundant harvest.

A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness pours out lies.

The mocker searches for wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

Keep away from a fool, for you will find no knowledge on his lips.

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand their way, but the folly of fools is deception.

Fools mock at guilt, but among the upright there is favor.

The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.

The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy can end in grief.

The faithless heart will be filled with the fruit of its own ways, and the good man with the fruit of his.

The gullible believe anything, but the prudent watch their steps.

The wise are cautious and turn away from evil, but the fool rushes ahead in reckless confidence.

A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a scheming man is hated.

The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

The evil will bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.

Whoever despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan what is good.

All hard work brings profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools yields only folly.

A truthful witness saves lives, but the one who breathes out lies is treacherous.

In the fear of the LORD there is a strong refuge; it will be a shelter for his children.

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person away from the snares of death.

A large population is a king's glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.

Whoever is patient shows great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.

A tranquil heart gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Whoever oppresses the poor insults their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors him.

The wicked are brought down by their own evil, but the righteous find refuge even in death.

Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning, but among fools it makes itself known.

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

A king delights in a servant who is wise, but his wrath falls on the one who brings shame.

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Sammanfattning2

Kapitel 14

Main Theme: The chapter contrasts wisdom and folly through practical life advice concerning speech, work, emotions, and the fear of God.

Content: The wise woman builds her house, while the foolish one tears it down with her own hands (v.1). The chapter warns that a way may seem right to a person, but its end is the ways of death (v.12). The fear of the Lord provides secure confidence and is a fountain of life that protects from the snares of death. A central verse declares that righteousness exalts a nation, while sin is a disgrace to peoples (v.34).

Key Words/Images:

The Wise Woman (v.1): Wisdom personified as a woman who builds and preserves her house, in contrast to folly which destroys it.
The Way to Death (v.12): A path that appears right but leads to ruin—a warning against self-deception and false security.
Fear of the Lord as a Fountain of Life (vv.26–27): Reverence for the Lord offers protection and is a source of life that keeps one away from the snares of death.
Righteousness and Nations (v.34): The well-being of nations depends on righteousness; sin brings shame upon peoples.

Historisk kontext

Events and Customs

Verse 4 offers a glimpse into agricultural life in ancient Israel: "Without oxen the manger is empty, but the strength of the ox brings abundant harvest" (בְּאֵין אֲלָפִים אֵבוּס בָּר וְרָב־תְּבוּאוֹת בְּכֹחַ שׁוֹר). The ox was indispensable in Israelite farming, used for plowing, threshing, and transport. Keeping oxen required resources and labor (feed, care), but the yield far exceeded the costs. This reflects a peasant economy where livestock raising and crop cultivation were closely intertwined.

Verse 19 describes how "the wicked must bow before the good, and the ungodly stand at the gates of the righteous." In ancient Near Eastern culture, the city gate was the place for legal decisions, commerce, and public deliberations. To "stand at someone's gate" could mean to seek favor, await judgment, or acknowledge another's superiority. This proverb points toward a final overturning of social conditions.

Key Terms

The word פֶּתִי (peti, verses 15 and 18) refers to the "simple" or "naive" one – someone who has not yet acquired wisdom and is therefore easily influenced. In contrast to כְּסִיל (kesil, "fool," verses 7, 8, 16, 24, 33), who actively rejects wisdom, the simple person stands at a crossroads: they can be shaped toward wisdom or folly.

עָרוּם (arum, verses 8, 15, 18) is translated as "prudent" or "shrewd" and describes someone who knows how to assess situations and act wisely. The word is also used of the serpent in Genesis 3:1, but in Proverbs it carries a positive meaning: practical wisdom that protects against dangers.

The expression אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם (erekh appayim, verse 29), literally "long of nostrils" (metaphorically "slow to anger"), means patience and self-control. The nose was associated with anger – rapid breathing through the nose signaled agitation – so a "long nose" meant that it took a long time for anger to flare up. This expression is also used of God himself (Exodus 34:6).

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Nyckelord10

Wisdom — The ability to think and act with knowledge, experience, understanding, and sound judgment.
Understanding — The capacity to make good decisions and show sound judgment in various situations.
Discipline — Training or correction that helps a person develop moral and ethical character.
Righteousness — The principle of acting rightly and uprightly, both toward other people and God.
The Lord — Another designation for God, referring to his sovereignty and authority.
Humility — The quality of being modest and not considering oneself better than others.
Fear — A reverent respect and submission toward God, leading to obedience and trust.
Foolishness — Lack of reason, wisdom, and understanding, often resulting in poor choices and consequences.
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