Proverbs 14:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises him.

NIV: Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

NASB: One who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, But one who is devious in his ways despises Him.

CSB: Whoever lives with integrity fears the Lord, but the one who is devious in his ways despises him.

NLT: Those who follow the right path fear the Lord; those who take the wrong path despise him.

KJV: He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

NKJV: He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.

Scripture makes it clear that ultimate truth—including that which is good—comes from an understanding of God (Proverbs 1:7). This leads to a relatively simple explanation of what leads to good or evil conduct. An upright person follows a path of righteousness and fears the Lord. A devious person follows a path of sin and despises the Lord. The term translated "uprightness" is also seen in Proverbs 2:13 and Proverbs 4:11 and implies something "straight" or honest. In contrast, the term rendered "devious" means something "lost, perverted, or deviant," and is seen in Proverbs 2:15 and Proverbs 3:32.

A person's lifestyle shows whether he is sincerely seeking good, loving the Lord, or is unrighteous and ignores God (John 14:15). Jesus made this distinction clear. He said, "So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit" (Matthew 7:17–18). While we need to be careful not to judge others unfairly (John 7:24; 1 Samuel 16:7), a person's life eventually reveals whether they are righteous or unrighteous. "Thus you will recognize [false prophets] by their fruits" (Matthew 7:20). If a person reverences the Lord, he will despise sin; but if he despises the Lord, he will love sin. There is no middle ground.

Proverbs 14:1–10 continues a long series of short, general-case, common-sense statements of godly wisdom. This section focuses on personal diligence, relationship to the Lord, conversation, witness, prudent behavior, and private emotions. Once again, the spotlight focuses on what is admirable versus that which is disgraceful.

This continues a series of literal "proverbs:" short statements of general-case wisdom. The first ten verses of this chapter contrast positive and negative traits related to work ethic, self-control, and seeking wisdom. Then come several verses contrasting the fate of the righteous with that of the wicked. The rest of this passage provides statements on a broad range of subjects.

Proverbs 14 continues King Solomon's wise sayings. In this chapter he discusses a variety of topics such as wisdom and folly, honesty and dishonesty, righteousness and evil, national security and national disgrace, personal security and destruction, the fear of the Lord, generosity, and wise servanthood. This series of astute comments will continue for several more chapters.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.