PROVERBS CHAPTER 14.
V. 8. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, to observe where he is going, to pay close attention to his conduct; but the folly of fools is deceit, self-deception, since they are willfully blind to the demands of every situation in which they find themselves, and so invite punishment and destruction upon themselves.
V. 9. Fools make a mock at sin, literally, “the sacrifice mocks the fools”; for even if such ungodly people offer up burnt offerings for expiation and atonement, it is useless, it fails of its object, since it is not acceptable to God; but among the righteous there is favor, the relation among the upright being one of mutual good-fellowship and love, which prevents their becoming guilty of gross transgressions.
V. 10. The heart knoweth his own bitterness, it is best acquainted with its own trouble and resents interference; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy, for no outsider is able fully to enter into the feelings of the heart. This saying does not conflict with Rom. 12, 15, but is directed against officious intrusion and an unsympathetic prying into the affairs of one’s neighbors.
V. 11. The house of the wicked shall be overthrown, no matter how permanent they believe it to be; but the tabernacle of the upright, their tent, their temporary dwelling, for they do not regard it as their permanent home, shall flourish, the blessing of the Lord resting upon it.