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The Upright Contrasted with the Devious

Proverbs 14:2 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
²He who walks in uprightness fears Jehovah,
but he who is devious in his ways despises him.

He who walks in uprightness fears Jehovah: The active participle here (הוֹלֵךְ holek) rendered he who walks means “the one walking.” In the Bible, the expression “to walk” (Heb. halak) is figurative and illustrative and can mean to follow a certain course of action, as “Noah walked with God.” (Gen. 6:9; 5:22) Those who walk with God follow the life course outlined by God’s Word and will find his favor, that is, be pleasing to him. Pursuing such a life course makes you different from most unbelievers. The Greek New Testament uses the same illustrative expression, contrasting two different courses of action sought by one before and after becoming a servant of God. (Eph. 2:2, 10; 4:17; 5:2) Walking with God is a manner of life that is required of his servants. It affects their conduct and behavior. For fears of Jehovah, see the comments below. Uprightness: (יָשַׁר yashar) is the quality of one who conforms to God’s moral standards. He is honest in his words and actions to what is real. – 1Ch 29:17; Job 6:25; Prov. 11:24; 17:26.

but he who is devious in his ways despises him: The expression devious in his ways you lack true wisdom, you will be led off the path of life because you will pursue the cooked, perverse paths, of those who are devious in their ways. Such a person truly despises (בּוֹזֵהוּ bozehu) Jehovah and has contempt for him. This person sees no value in the wisdom of God and even speaks scornfully of him and ridicules him.

One’s attitude and perception will result in certain actions, which will divulge that person’s character. A person who walks in uprightness evidence that he truly has a reverential fear of displeasing Jehovah. In contrast, the person who is involved in devious behavior despises Jehovah, wherein he feels free to ignore his wisdom and speak badly of him.

“The fear of Jehovah” is the repeated theme of wisdom found in the book of Proverbs.[1] One who fears Jehovah has the qualities of humility (15:33; 22:4), wisdom (1:7), possessing faithfulness and Godly love (16:6), and concern for his relationship with God (2:5; 9:10). In the book of Proverbs, fear of Jehovah is related to faith in God that is constantly seeking understanding.[2] If we did not have a fear of Jehovah (i.e., not a morbid dread of him but rather a profound reverence and awe in the presence of such an all-powerful person), we would have no knowledge, for the Father is the Creator of all things and the Author of the Spirit-inspired Scriptures. Therefore, we need to give Jehovah the proper place in our life. Life is from the Father, and life is, of course, indispensable for our having any knowledge.

[1] (cf. 1:29; 2:5; 9:10; 10:27; 14:26, 27; 15:16, 33; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4; 23:17)

[2] Leo G. Perdue, Wisdom & Creation: The Theology of Wisdom Literature (Nashville: Abingdon, 1994), p. 79.