Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 14

Verses 1-35

Verse Proverbs 14:7. The sense of this proverb is entirely altered in the Revision. The Authorized reading would make it mean that if a man is perceived to be devoid of knowledge he should be abandoned. The Revised urges attention to the foolish man in order that it may be known that he lacks knowledge.

Verse Proverbs 14:9. This proverb is decidedly ambiguous. It may mean that foolish men despise g d t in the sense of holding in contempt the guilty, whereas upright men have grace or favor or good will in their heart, that is, even to such as fail. Instead of "sin," the American Standard Revision, renders "trespass offering," and so makes it mean that a religious rite by fools is of no value.

Verse Proverbs 14:17. The contrast here is between hastiness of temper and maliciousness. The former leads to acts of folly. The other makes the man guilty of it hated by others.