Proverbs 14
1 The wisdom of women buildeth their house; but folly plucketh it down with her hands.
Every wise woman builds her house, but the stupid woman tears it down with her own hands.
2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth Jehovah; but he that is perverted in his ways despiseth him.
Those who live right respect the Lord, but those who live dishonestly despise him.
3 In the fool's mouth is a rod of pride; but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
What stupid people say punishes their pride, but what wise people say will protect them.
4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Without oxen, the manger is empty, but a good harvest comes through the ox's strength.
5 A faithful witness will not lie; but a false witness uttereth lies.
A trustworthy witness doesn't lie, but a false witness is deceptive.
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and there is none [for him]; but knowledge is easy unto the intelligent.
It's pointless for a scoffer to look for wisdom, but knowledge comes easily to someone who understands.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, in whom thou perceivest not the lips of knowledge.
Stay away from stupid people—you won't learn anything from them.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way; but the folly of the foolish is deceit.
Sensible people use their wisdom to decide where they're going, but the foolishness of stupid people is treacherous.
9 Fools make a mock at trespass; but for the upright there is favour.
Stupid people laugh at sin, but good people want forgiveness.
10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness, and a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.
The individual's mind alone knows its sadnesses, and no one else can share its happiness.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown; but the tent of the upright shall flourish.
The house of wicked people will be destroyed, but the tent of good people will prosper.
12 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death.
There's a way that seems to be right, but in the end it's the way of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of mirth is sadness.
Even when you're laughing you can be feeling sad—joy can end in grief.
14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways, and the good man from what is in himself.
Disloyal people are repaid for what they do, and good people are rewarded.
15 The simple believeth every word; but the prudent [man] heedeth his going.
Stupid people believe whatever they're told, but sensible people think about what they're doing.
16 A wise [man] feareth and departeth from evil; but the foolish is overbearing and confident.
Wise people are careful and avoid evil, but stupid people are confidently reckless.
17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly, and a man of mischievous devices is hated.
Quick-tempered people act foolishly, while people who make evil plans are hated.
18 The simple inherit folly; but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The inheritance of stupid people is stupidity, but sensible people are rewarded with knowledge.
19 The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous [man].
Evil people bow down before good people, and the wicked bow down at the doors of those who do right.
20 He that is poor is hated even of his own neighbour; but the rich hath many friends.
The poor are hated even by their neighbors, while the rich have many friends.
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth; but he that is gracious to the afflicted, happy is he.
People who look down on their neighbors are sinners, but those who are kind to the poor are blessed.
22 Do they not err that devise evil? but loving-kindness and truth are for those that devise good.
Aren't people who plan to do evil wrong? But those who plan to do good have trustworthy love and faithfulness.
23 In all labour there is profit; but the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to want.
There's profit in hard work, but chatting just leads to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches; the folly of the foolish is folly.
The wise are rewarded with wealth, but stupid people are rewarded with stupidity.
25 A true witness delivereth souls; but deceit uttereth lies.
A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is treacherous.
26 In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.
People who honor the Lord are completely safe; he will protect their children.
27 The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, to turn away from the snares of death.
Respecting the Lord is like a fountain of life, so you can avoid the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of people is the king's glory; but in the lack of people is the ruin of a prince.
The glory of a king is the number of his subjects, for a ruler is nothing without them.
29 He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
If you're slow to get angry, you're very wise; but if you have a short fuse you glorify stupidity.
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh; but envy the rottenness of the bones.
A peaceful mind makes your body healthy, but jealousy makes your bones rot.
31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; but he that honoureth Him is gracious to the needy.
Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, but anyone who is kind to the needy honors him.
32 The wicked is driven away by his evil-doing; but the righteous trusteth, [even] in his death.
Wicked people are brought down by their own evil actions, but those who live right are confident even in death.
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of the intelligent [man]; but that which is in the foolish maketh itself known.
Wisdom is at home in a mind that understands, but it's not found among stupid people.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to peoples.
Doing right makes a nation successful, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 The king's favour is toward a wise servant; but his wrath is [against] him that causeth shame.
A servant who acts wisely is appreciated by the king, but he gets angry with a servant who acts disgracefully.
