Proverbs 14
1 A wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish will pull down with her hands that also which is built.
Every wise woman builds her house, but the stupid woman tears it down with her own hands.
2 He that walketh in the right way, and feareth God, Cis despised by him that goeth by an infamous way.
Those who live right respect the Lord, but those who live dishonestly despise him.
3 In the mouth of a fool is the rod of pride: but the lips of the wise preserve them.
What stupid people say punishes their pride, but what wise people say will protect them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the crib is empty: but where there is much corn, there the strength of the ox is manifest.
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 deceitful witness uttereth a lie.
A trustworthy witness doesn't lie, but a false witness is deceptive.
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: the learning of the wise is easy.
It's pointless for a scoffer to look for wisdom, but knowledge comes easily to someone who understands.
7 Go against a foolish man, and he knoweth not the lips of prudence.
Stay away from stupid people—you won't learn anything from them.
8 The wisdom of a. discreet man is to understand his way: and the imprudence of fools erreth.
Sensible people use their wisdom to decide where they're going, but the foolishness of stupid people is treacherous.
9 A fool will laugh at sin, but among the just grace shall abide.
Stupid people laugh at sin, but good people want forgiveness.
10 The heart that knoweth the bitterness of his own soul, in his joy the stranger shall not intermeddle.
The individual's mind alone knows its sadnesses, and no one else can share its happiness.
11 The house of the wicked shall be destroyed: but the tabernacles of the just shall flourish.
The house of wicked people will be destroyed, but the tent of good people will prosper.
12 There is a way which seemeth just to a man: but the ends thereof lead to death.
There's a way that seems to be right, but in the end it's the way of death.
13 Laughter shall be mingled with sorrow, and mourning taketh hold of the end of joy.
Even when you're laughing you can be feeling sad—joy can end in grief.
14 A fool shall be filled with his own ways, and the good man shall be above him.
Disloyal people are repaid for what they do, and good people are rewarded.
15 The innocent believeth every word: the discreet man considereth his steps. No good shall come to the deceitful son: but the wise servant shall prosper in his dealings, and his way shall be made straight.
Stupid people believe whatever they're told, but sensible people think about what they're doing.
16 A wise man feareth and declineth from evil: the fool leapeth over and is confident.
Wise people are careful and avoid evil, but stupid people are confidently reckless.
17 The impatient man shall work folly: and the crafty man is hateful.
Quick-tempered people act foolishly, while people who make evil plans are hated.
18 The childish shall possess folly, and the prudent, shall look for knowledge.
The inheritance of stupid people is stupidity, but sensible people are rewarded with knowledge.
19 The evil shall fall down before the good: and the wicked before the gates of the just.
Evil people bow down before good people, and the wicked bow down at the doors of those who do right.
20 The poor man shall be hateful even to his own neighbour: but the friends of the rich are many.
The poor are hated even by their neighbors, while the rich have many friends.
21 He that despiseth his neighbour, sinneth: but he that sheweth mercy to the poor, shall be blessed. He that believeth in the Lord, loveth mercy.
People who look down on their neighbors are sinners, but those who are kind to the poor are blessed.
22 They err that work evil: but mercy and truth prepare good things.
Aren't people who plan to do evil wrong? But those who plan to do good have trustworthy love and faithfulness.
23 In much work there shall be abundance: but where there are many words, there is oftentimes 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 fools, imprudence.
The wise are rewarded with wealth, but stupid people are rewarded with stupidity.
25 A faithful witness delivereth souls: and the double dealer uttereth lies.
A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is treacherous.
26 In the fear of the Lord is confidence of strength, and there shall be hope for his children.
People who honor the Lord are completely safe; he will protect their children.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to decline from the ruin 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 dignity of the king: and in the small number of people the dishonour of the prince.
The glory of a king is the number of his subjects, for a ruler is nothing without them.
29 He that is patient, is governed with much wisdom: but he that is impatient, exalteth his folly.
If you're slow to get angry, you're very wise; but if you have a short fuse you glorify stupidity.
30 Soundness of heart is the life of the flesh: but envy is the rottenness of the bones.
A peaceful mind makes your body healthy, but jealousy makes your bones rot.
31 He that oppresseth the poor, upbraideth his Maker: but he that hath pity on the poor, honoureth him.
Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, but anyone who is kind to the needy honors him.
32 The wicked man shall be driven out in his wickedness: but the just hath hope in his death.
Wicked people are brought down by their own evil actions, but those who live right are confident even in death.
33 In the heart of the prudent resteth wisdom, and it shall instruct all the ignorant.
Wisdom is at home in a mind that understands, but it's not found among stupid people.
34 Justice exalteth a nation: but sin maketh nations miserable.
Doing right makes a nation successful, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 A wise servant is acceptable to the king: he that is good for nothing shall feel his anger.
A servant who acts wisely is appreciated by the king, but he gets angry with a servant who acts disgracefully.
