Proverbs 14
1 A wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish will pull down with her hands that also which is built.
The wise woman builds her house, but a foolish 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.
The one who walks uprightly fears Yahweh, but the one who is dishonest in his ways despises him.
3 In the mouth of a fool is the rod of pride: but the lips of the wise preserve them.
From the mouth of a fool comes an offshoot of his pride, but the lips of the wise will preserve 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.
Where there are no cattle the feeding trough is clean, but an abundant crop can come by the strength of an ox.
5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a deceitful witness uttereth a lie.
A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: the learning of the wise is easy.
A mocker seeks wisdom and there is none, but knowledge comes easy to the one who is discerning.
7 Go against a foolish man, and he knoweth not the lips of prudence.
Walk away from a foolish person, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.
8 The wisdom of a. discreet man is to understand his way: and the imprudence of fools erreth.
The wisdom of the prudent person is to understand his own way, but the folly of fools is deception.
9 A fool will laugh at sin, but among the just grace shall abide.
Fools mock when the guilt offering is sacrificed, but among the upright favor is shared.
10 The heart that knoweth the bitterness of his own soul, in his joy the stranger shall not intermeddle.
The heart knows its own bitterness and no stranger shares its joy.
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 upright people will flourish.
12 There is a way which seemeth just to a man: but the ends thereof lead to death.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end only leads to death.
13 Laughter shall be mingled with sorrow, and mourning taketh hold of the end of joy.
A heart can laugh but still be in pain and joy may end up being grief.
14 A fool shall be filled with his own ways, and the good man shall be above him.
The one who is not faithful will get what his ways deserve, but a good person will get what is his.
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.
The one who is naive believes everything, but the prudent man thinks about his steps.
16 A wise man feareth and declineth from evil: the fool leapeth over and is confident.
A wise man fears and turns away from evil, but the fool confidently dismisses a warning.
17 The impatient man shall work folly: and the crafty man is hateful.
One who is quick to become angry does foolish things, and a person who makes evil schemes is hated.
18 The childish shall possess folly, and the prudent, shall look for knowledge.
The naive inherit foolishness, but prudent people are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil shall fall down before the good: and the wicked before the gates of the just.
Evil people will bow down before those who are good and those who are wicked will bow down at the gates of the righteous person.
20 The poor man shall be hateful even to his own neighbour: but the friends of the rich are many.
The poor person is hated even by his own companions, but the rich people 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.
The one who shows contempt for his neighbor is sinning, but the one who shows favor to the poor is blessed.
22 They err that work evil: but mercy and truth prepare good things.
Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan to do good will receive covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness.
23 In much work there shall be abundance: but where there are many words, there is oftentimes want.
With all hard work comes a profit, but when there is only talk, it leads to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches: the folly of fools, imprudence.
The crown of wise people is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings them only more folly.
25 A faithful witness delivereth souls: and the double dealer uttereth lies.
A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness breathes out lies.
26 In the fear of the Lord is confidence of strength, and there shall be hope for his children.
When someone fears Yahweh, he also has much confidence in him; these things will be like a strong place of protection for this man's children.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to decline from the ruin of death.
The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, so that a person may turn away from 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 found in the great number of his people, but without people the prince is ruined.
29 He that is patient, is governed with much wisdom: but he that is impatient, exalteth his folly.
A patient person has great understanding, but the quick-tempered person exalts folly.
30 Soundness of heart is the life of the flesh: but envy is the rottenness of the bones.
A tranquil heart is life for the body, but envy rots the bones.
31 He that oppresseth the poor, upbraideth his Maker: but he that hath pity on the poor, honoureth him.
The one who oppresses the poor curses his Maker, but the one who shows favor to the needy honors him.
32 The wicked man shall be driven out in his wickedness: but the just hath hope in his death.
The wicked person is brought down by his evil actions, but the righteous person has a refuge even in death.
33 In the heart of the prudent resteth wisdom, and it shall instruct all the ignorant.
Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning, but even among fools she lets herself be known.
34 Justice exalteth a nation: but sin maketh nations miserable.
Doing what is right exalts a nation, 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.
The favor of the king is with the servant who acts prudently, but his anger is for the one who acts shamefully.
