Bible Strands
Proverbs 14:2
He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The book of Proverbs addresses readers seeking practical wisdom, positioned between a proverb about building or destroying a household and one about the consequences of foolish speech.
The words — יְרֵא (ye.Re') translates literally as "[is one] fearing," and בּוֹזֵֽ/הוּ (bo.Ze./hu) means "[is] despising."
The thread — The connection between reverence for God and righteous conduct appears in Acts 10:35, which links fearing Him to doing what is right, and Proverbs 28:6, which contrasts walking with integrity against pursuing perverse ways.
Why it lands — It requires the reader to align their daily conduct with reverence for God, treating moral deceit as active rejection of divine authority.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
Cross-references
- 2 Timothy 3:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
- Acts 10:35 but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.
- Proverbs 28:6 Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.
- Job 28:28 And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
- Psalms 112:1 Hallelujah! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments.
- Romans 2:4 Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
- Psalms 25:21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, because I wait for You.
- Ecclesiastes 12:13 When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.
- Luke 10:16 Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”
- Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a time of peace. It grew in strength and numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.