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 foolish one 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.
He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.
3 In the fool's mouth is a rod of pride; but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness will not lie; but a false witness uttereth lies.
A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies.
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and there is none [for him]; but knowledge is easy unto the intelligent.
A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, in whom thou perceivest not the lips of knowledge.
Stay away from a foolish man, for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way; but the folly of the foolish is deceit.
The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools make a mock at trespass; but for the upright there is favour.
Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but amongst the upright there is good will.
10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness, and a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.
The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown; but the tent of the upright shall flourish.
The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death.
There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of mirth is sadness.
Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, and mirth may end in heaviness.
14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways, and the good man from what is in himself.
The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.
15 The simple believeth every word; but the prudent [man] heedeth his going.
A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
16 A wise [man] feareth and departeth from evil; but the foolish is overbearing and confident.
A wise man fears and shuns evil, but the fool is hot headed and reckless.
17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly, and a man of mischievous devices is hated.
He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly; but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous [man].
The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 He that is poor is hated even of his own neighbour; but the rich hath many friends.
The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbour, but the rich person has many friends.
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth; but he that is gracious to the afflicted, happy is he.
He who despises his neighbour sins, but he who has pity on the poor is blessed.
22 Do they not err that devise evil? but loving-kindness and truth are for those that devise good.
Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.
23 In all labour there is profit; but the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to want.
In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches; the folly of the foolish is folly.
The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.
25 A true witness delivereth souls; but deceit uttereth lies.
A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful.
26 In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.
In the fear of the LORD is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.
27 The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, to turn away from the snares of death.
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning people from 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.
In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.
29 He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh; but envy the rottenness of the bones.
The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones.
31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; but he that honoureth Him is gracious to the needy.
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honours him.
32 The wicked is driven away by his evil-doing; but the righteous trusteth, [even] in his death.
The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge.
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of the intelligent [man]; but that which is in the foolish maketh itself known.
Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to peoples.
Righteousness exalts a nation, 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.
The king’s favour is towards a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is towards one who causes shame.
