Proverbs 14
1 Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
A wise woman builds up her household. But a foolish one will pull down with her own hands what has been built up.
2 He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.
One who walks on a virtuous journey, and who fears God, is despised by him who advances along a disreputable way.
3 The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
In the mouth of the foolish, there is a rod of arrogance. But the lips of the wise guard them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.
Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty. But where there are many crops, there the strength of the ox is manifest.
5 An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.
A faithful witness will not lie. But a deceitful witness offers a lie.
6 A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
A mocker seeks wisdom and does not find it. The doctrine of the prudent is accessible.
7 Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.
Go against a foolish man, and he does not acknowledge lips of prudence.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.
The wisdom of a discerning man is to understand his way. And the imprudence of the foolish is to be wandering astray.
9 Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.
The foolish will speak mockingly of sin. But grace lingers among the just.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy.
The heart that knows the bitterness of its own soul, in its gladness the outsider shall not meddle.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
The house of the impious will be wiped away. Yet truly, the tabernacles of the just shall spring forth.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
There is a way which seems just to a man, but its conclusion leads to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.
Laughter shall be mingled with sorrow, and mourning occupies the limits of joy.
14 The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways.
The foolish will be filled up by his own ways. And the good man shall be above him.
15 The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.
The innocent trust every word. The astute one considers his own steps. Nothing good will be for the deceitful son. But the wise servant shall act prosperously and his way will be set in order.
16 A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.
The wise fear, and so turn away from evil. The foolish leap ahead with confidence.
17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated.
The impatient will work foolishness. And a resourceful man is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The childish will possess foolishness, and the discerning will anticipate knowledge.
19 The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
The evil will fall down before the good. And the impious will fall down before the gates of the just.
20 The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich.
The pauper will be hated, even by his own neighbor. Yet truly, the friends of the wealthy are many.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.
Whoever despises his neighbor, sins. But whoever pities the poor shall be blessed. Whoever trusts in the Lord loves mercy.
22 Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness.
They wander astray who work evil. But mercy and truth prepare good things.
23 There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
In every work, there shall be abundance. But where there are many words, there is often need.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly.
The crown of the wise is their wealth. The senselessness of the foolish is imprudence.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.
A faithful witness frees souls. And the chameleon utters lies.
26 He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.
In the fear of the Lord is the faithfulness of strength, and there shall be hope for his sons.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, so as to turn aside from the ruin of death.
28 A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.
In a multitude of people, there is dignity for the king. And in a paucity of people, there is disgrace for the prince.
29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.
Whoever is patient is governed by much prudence. But whoever is impatient exalts his foolishness.
30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
The well-being of the heart is life for the flesh. But envy is decay for the bones.
31 Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.
Whoever slanders the indigent argues against his Maker. But he who has compassion on the poor honors his Maker.
32 The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death.
The impious will be expelled in his malice. But the just finds hope even in his own death.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known.
In the heart of the prudent, wisdom finds rest. And so shall he instruct all the uneducated.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Justice elevates a nation. But sin makes the peoples miserable.
35 A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.
An intelligent minister is acceptable to the king. Whoever is useless shall bear his wrath.
