Proverbs — Chapter 14

1Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

2He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.

3The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

4Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.

5An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.

6A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

7Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.

9Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.

10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy.

11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.

14The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways.

15The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.

16A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.

17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated.

18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich.

21He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.

22Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness.

23There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly.

25A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.

26He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

28A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.

29A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.

30A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

31Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.

32The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death.

33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known.

34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

35A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.

1Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

2He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

4Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

5A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

6A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

7Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

9Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

10The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

11The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

13Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

14The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

15The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

17He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

18The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

21He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

22Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

23In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

24The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

25A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

26In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

28In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

29He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

30A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

32The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

34Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

35The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

1Every wise woman buildeth her house; But the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands.

2He that walketh in his uprightness feareth Jehovah; But he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for [his] pride; But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

4Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; But much increase is by the strength of the ox.

5A faithful witness will not lie; But a false witness uttereth lies.

6A scoffer seeketh wisdom, and [findeth it] not; But knowledge is easy unto him that hath understanding.

7Go into the presence of a foolish man, And thou shalt not perceive [in him] the lips of knowledge.

8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way; But the folly of fools is deceit.

9A trespass-offering mocketh fools; But among the upright there is good will.

10The heart knoweth its own bitterness; And a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.

11The house of the wicked shall be overthrown; But the tent of the upright shall flourish.

12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death.

13Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; And the end of mirth is heaviness.

14The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways; And a good man [shall be satisfied] from himself.

15The simple believeth every word; But the prudent man looketh well to his going.

16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; But the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident.

17He that is soon angry will deal foolishly; And a man of wicked devices is hated.

18The simple inherit folly; But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19The evil bow down before the good; And the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.

20The poor is hated even of his own neighbor; But the rich hath many friends.

21He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth; But he that hath pity on the poor, happy is he.

22Do they not err that devise evil? But mercy and truth [shall be to] them that devise good.

23In all labor there is profit; But the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to penury.

24The crown of the wise is their riches; [But] the folly of fools is [only] folly.

25A true witness delivereth souls; But he that uttereth lies [causeth] deceit.

26In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence; And his children shall have a place of refuge.

27The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death.

28In the multitude of people is the king`s glory; But in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

29He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

30A tranquil heart is the life of the flesh; But envy is the rottenness of the bones.

31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; But he that hath mercy on the needy honoreth him.

32The wicked is thrust down in his evil-doing; But the righteous hath a refuge in his death.

33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding; But [that which is] in the inward part of fools is made known.

34Righteousness exalteth a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people.

35The king`s favor is toward a servant that dealeth wisely; But his wrath will be [against] him that causeth shame.

1Every wise woman has built her household, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

2The one who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, but the one who is perverted in his ways despises him.

3In the speech of a fool is a rod for his back, but the words of the wise protect them.

4Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is clean, but an abundant harvest is produced by strong oxen.

5A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.

6The scorner sought wisdom—there was none, but understanding was easy for a discerning person.

7Walk abreast with a foolish person, and you do not understand wise counsel.

8The wisdom of the shrewd person is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deception.

9Fools mock at reparation, but among the upright there is favor.

10The heart knows its own bitterness, and with its joy no one else can share.

11The household of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death.

13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.

14The backslider will be paid back from his own ways, but a good person will be rewarded for his.

15A naive person will believe anything, but the shrewd person discerns his steps.

16A wise person is cautious and turns from evil, but a fool throws off restraint and is overconfident.

17A person who has a quick temper will do foolish things, and a person with crafty schemes will be hated.

18The naive have inherited folly, but the shrewd will be crowned with knowledge.

19Bad people have bowed before good people, and wicked people have bowed at the gates of someone righteous.

20A poor person will be disliked even by his neighbors, but those who love the rich are many.

21The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever is kind to the needy is blessed.

22Do not those who devise evil go astray? But those who plan good exhibit faithful covenant love.

23In all hard work there is profit, but merely talking about it only brings poverty.

24The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools is folly.

25A truthful witness rescues lives, but one who testifies falsely betrays them.

26In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and it will be a refuge for his children.

27The fear of the Lord is like a life-giving fountain, to turn people from deadly snares.

28A king’s glory is the abundance of people, but the lack of subjects is the ruin of a ruler.

29Someone with great understanding is slow to anger, but the one who has a quick temper exalts folly.

30A tranquil spirit revives the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.

31The one who oppresses the poor has insulted his Creator, but whoever honors him shows favor to the needy.

32An evil person will be thrown down through his wickedness, but a righteous person takes refuge in his integrity.

33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; it is not known in the inner parts of fools.

34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

35The king shows favor to a wise servant, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

1Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

2He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.

3The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

4Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

5A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies.

6A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.

7Stay away from a foolish man, for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.

8The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.

9Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but among the upright there is good will.

10The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger.

11The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

13Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, and mirth may end in heaviness.

14The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.

15A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.

16A wise man fears and shuns evil, but the fool is hot headed and reckless.

17He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated.

18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, but the rich person has many friends.

21He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who has pity on the poor.

22Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.

23In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.

24The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.

25A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful.

26In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.

27The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death.

28In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.

29He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.

30The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones.

31He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.

32The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge.

33Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools.

34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

35The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.