20 20 The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor,
But the rich has many friends.
21 21 He who despises his neighbor sins;
But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he. (Proverbs 14:20-21) (NKJV)
20 20 The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
but the rich has many friends.
21 21 He who despises his neighbor is a sinner,
but happy is he who is kind to the poor. (Proverbs 14:20-21) (RSV)
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.
but the rich have many friends.
21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,
but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. (Proverbs 14:20-21) (NIV)
but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. (Proverbs 14:20-21) (NIV)
Hated - Despised and abandoned.
Despiseth - That does not pity and relieve the poor.
Friendship in the world is governed by self-interest. It is good to have God our Friend; he will not desert us.
To despise a man for his employment or appearance is a sin.
Friendship in this world is very artificial. If you have lots of money, if could buy your friends gifts, throw a party, buy them food and drinks, you have many friends.
But the poor have few friends. Even his neighbours dislike him, looking down upon him.
The rich may have friends who are not true friends. They may be around for some free food and drinks, for free entertainment. The poor may have fewer friends but these friends are truer because there is no advantage they can get from this poor guy.
Those that are sincere to all friends, including the poor, will be happy and blessed. God looks with favour upon those are good-hearted, those who are good to other people. But the people who are negatively biased toward his poor neighbour, is disdained by God. So let us be nice to our "neighbours", other people around us, rich or poor, great or small.
22 22 Do they not go astray who devise evil?
But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good. (Proverbs 14:22) (NKJV)
22 22 Do they not err that devise evil?
Those who devise good meet loyalty and faithfulness. (Proverbs 14:22) (RSV)
22 22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?
But those who plan what is good find[a] love and faithfulness. (Proverbs 14:22) (NIV)
Those who plan what is good will be rewarded with love and faithfulness, loyalty and faithfulness, mercy and truth. Those who plan and do good to friends and relatives will be loved and appreciated by the friends and relatives, and they will also respond by being loyal and faithful and loving.
23 23 In all labor there is profit,
But idle chatter[b] leads only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23) (NKJV)
23 23 In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk tends only to want. (Proverbs 14:23) (RSV)
23 23 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty. (PRoverbs 14:23) (NIV)
The talk - Idle talking will bring a man to poverty.
Labour of the head, or of the hand, will turn to some good account. But if men's religion runs all out in talk and noise, they will come to nothing.
Diligence and hardwork will bring success in career, and success in business, which will bring about more money, riches and wealth. Another person may think of great ideas and ambitious plans, but if he only fantasize about it, if he only talks but takes no action, the reality does not happen and the money does not come in. Idle talk and no action will eventually lead to mediocrity and poverty.
24 24 The crown of the wise is their riches,
But the foolishness of fools is folly. (Proverbs 14:24) (NKJV)
24 24 The crown of the wise is their wisdom,[h]
but folly is the garland[i] of fools. (Proverbs 14:24) (RSV)
24 24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
but the folly of fools yields folly. (Proverbs 14:24) (NIV)
The rich, wise person who use his wealth in wise way, honouring God, giving to charitable causes, contributing to gospel missions, will earn much respect and honour. The rich, wise person will be glorified for his good deeds and his smart usage of his money.
The rich, foolish person, on the contrary, may use his money for unhealthy activities, satisfying the many desires of the flesh, and not managing his finances wisely. Whether rich or not, the foolish person's actions are folly.
25 25 A true witness delivers souls,
But a deceitful witness speaks lies. (Proverbs 14:25) (NKJV)
25 25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but one who utters lies is a betrayer. (Proverbs 14:25) (RSV)
25 25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is deceitful. (Proverbs 14:25) (NIV)
Souls - Such as are innocent, from false accusations.
An upright man will venture the ( proverbs 14:26-27 ) Those who fear the Lord so as to obey and serve him, have a strong ground of confidence, and will be preserved. Let us seek to this Fountain of life, that we may escape the snares of death.
In the court of law, when a suspect is falsely accused, the truthful witness is honest in telling the truth. This truth as told by the truthful/honest witness may save the life of the suspect.
False witness or deceitful witness is committing sin by telling lies, or biased answers in the court of law.
A man of integrity will venture the displeasure of the greatest, to bring truth to light and rescue those who are injured by falsehood. A faithful minister, who truly witnesses for God against sin, is thereby instrumental to deliver souls from eternal death.
26 26 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And His children will have a place of refuge.
27 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death. (Proverbs 14:26-27) (NKJV)
26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,
and for their children it will be a refuge.
and for their children it will be a refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning a person from the snares of death. (Proverbs 14:20) (NIV)
turning a person from the snares of death. (Proverbs 14:20) (NIV)
Fearing the Lord and loving God is like a strong fortress that we could have total faith and full confidence in. Fearing the Lord will help us to live righteously, with good thoughts and speech, good deeds and charitable deeds. We will hence be blessed. Our children will also be blessed due to our good deeds and righteous living. Fearing the Lord is the constant source of a meaningful life in this world and also eternal life. Fearing the Lord will help us to avoid the snare of spiritual death.
Sunday, Feb 9, 2014.
Michael Yeap
NIV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+14&version=NIV
RSV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+14&version=RSV
NKJV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+14&version=NKJV
Commentaries:
Wesley: http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/wesleys-explanatory-notes/proverbs/proverbs-14.html
Matthew Henry: http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-concise/proverbs/14.html
20) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.20
21) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.21
22) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.22
23) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.23
24) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.24
25) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.25
26) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.26-Prov.14.27
27)
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