Proverbs 24:14

So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul - True religion, experimental godliness, shall be to thy soul as the honey-comb is to thy mouth.

Then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off - This is precisely the same with that in Proverbs 23:18 (note), where see the note. The word אחרית acharith, we translate in the former place an end, and here we translate it a reward; but there is no place I believe in the sacred writings in which it has any such acceptation; nor can such a meaning be deduced from the root אחר achar, which always refers to behind, after, extremity, latter part, time, etc., but never carries the idea of recompense, compensation, or such like; nor has one of the versions understood it so. There is another state or life, and thy expectation of happiness in a future world shall not be cut off. In this sense the versions all understood it. I will take them as they lie before me.

"Which (wisdom) when thou shalt have found, thou shalt have hope in thy last days; and thy hope shall not perish." - Vulgate.

"And if thou find it, thou shalt have a good death; and hope shall not forsake thee." - Septuagint.

"Which, if thou have found, thy latter days shall be better than the former; and thy hope shall not be consumed." - Chaldee.

"There shall be an end, and thy hope shall not be cut off." - Syriac.

"For, if thou shalt find her, (wisdom), thy death shall be glorious, and thy hope will not fail thee." - Arabic.

Whiche whan thou fyndist schalt han in the last thingis, hope: and thin hope schal not perischen - Old MS. Bible.

"And there is Good Hope; yee that hope shal not be in vayne." - Coverdale.

This rendering is indefinite, which is not the usual custom of the translator.

The knowledge of wisdom - Better, Know that thus (like the honey) is wisdom to thy soul.

24:14 A reward - It is not only sweet for the present, but brings a sure and everlasting reward.