14:1 Antithetic. The NIV has rendered the general sense, but see the Additional Notes. A real house might be meant, but more probably it is a metaphor for home—the family or even for one’s own life; see 24:3 and 31:10–31.

14:2 Antithetic and juxtapositional. Here is an obvious contrast between the just and the wicked in their relationships to the LORD.

14:3 Antithetic. Here is another example of the effects of wise and foolish speech (cf. 10:21; 15:7; Eccl. 10:12–13). The rod to his back (cf. also the NRSV) is a silent correction. Literally, the MT has a “rod (or shoot) of pride”—this would seem to mean that a fool’s pride is punished by foolish talk.

14:4 Antithetic and juxtapositional: “When no oxen—manger empty (clean?); and (but) much produce—in strength of an ox.” The point seems t…