Proverbs 14
1 Every wise woman builds her house, but the stupid woman tears it down with her own hands.
The wise among women buildeth her house; but the foolish pulleth it down with her own hands.
2 Those who live right respect the Lord, but those who live dishonestly despise him.
In his uprightness walketh he that feareth the Lord; but perverse in his ways is he that despiseth him.
3 What stupid people say punishes their pride, but what wise people say will protect them.
In the mouth of the foolish is a stick [for his] pride; but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
4 Without oxen, the manger is empty, but a good harvest comes through the ox's strength.
Where no oxen are, is the crib clean; but the abundance of harvests is [only] through the strength of the ox.
5 A trustworthy witness doesn't lie, but a false witness is deceptive.
A faithful witness will not lie; but a false witness constantly uttereth lies.
6 It's pointless for a scoffer to look for wisdom, but knowledge comes easily to someone who understands.
A scorner seeketh wisdom, and there is none; but knowledge is easy to the man of understanding.
7 Stay away from stupid people—you won't learn anything from them.
Go far away from a foolish man, else thou wilt [never] know the lips of knowledge.
8 Sensible people use their wisdom to decide where they're going, but the foolishness of stupid people is treacherous.
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way; but the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Stupid people laugh at sin, but good people want forgiveness.
The fool maketh a mockery of guilt; but among the upright there is good will.
10 The individual's mind alone knows its sadnesses, and no one else can share its happiness.
The heart knoweth its own bitterness; and with its joy can no stranger intermeddle.
11 The house of wicked people will be destroyed, but the tent of good people will prosper.
The house of the wicked will be destroyed: but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There's a way that seems to be right, but in the end it's the way of death.
There is many a way which seemeth even before a man; but its end are ways unto death.
13 Even when you're laughing you can be feeling sad—joy can end in grief.
Even in laughter the heart feeleth pain; and at its end joy is sorrow.
14 Disloyal people are repaid for what they do, and good people are rewarded.
The backslider in heart will have enough of his own ways; and from him [departeth] the good men.
15 Stupid people believe whatever they're told, but sensible people think about what they're doing.
The simple believeth every word; but the prudent man understandeth his steps.
16 Wise people are careful and avoid evil, but stupid people are confidently reckless.
A wise man is fearful, and departeth from evil; but the fool exciteth himself, and is confident.
17 Quick-tempered people act foolishly, while people who make evil plans are hated.
He that is soon angry committeth folly; and a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 The inheritance of stupid people is stupidity, but sensible people are rewarded with knowledge.
The simple inherit folly; but the prudent crown themselves with knowledge.
19 Evil people bow down before good people, and the wicked bow down at the doors of those who do right.
The bad sink down before the good; and the wicked are at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor are hated even by their neighbors, while the rich have many friends.
Even to his own neighbor is the poor man hateful; but the friends of the rich are many.
21 People who look down on their neighbors are sinners, but those who are kind to the poor are blessed.
He that despiseth his neighbor is a sinner; but he that is gracious to the poor—happiness attend him!
22 Aren't people who plan to do evil wrong? But those who plan to do good have trustworthy love and faithfulness.
Behold, those who contrive evil are in error; but kindness and truth attend on those who contrive what is good.
23 There's profit in hard work, but chatting just leads to poverty.
In all painful labor there is profit; but mere words of the lips [lead] only to want.
24 The wise are rewarded with wealth, but stupid people are rewarded with stupidity.
The crown of the wise is their riches; but the folly of fools is [only] folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is treacherous.
A deliverer of souls is the true witness; but a witness of deceit uttereth lies.
26 People who honor the Lord are completely safe; he will protect their children.
In the fear of the Lord is the strong confidence [of man], and unto his children will it be a place of shelter.
27 Respecting the Lord is like a fountain of life, so you can avoid the snares of death.
The fear of the Lord is the source of life, [teaching] to avoid the snares of death.
28 The glory of a king is the number of his subjects, for a ruler is nothing without them.
In the multitude of people is the king's glory; but in the want of a population is the downfall of the prince.
29 If you're slow to get angry, you're very wise; but if you have a short fuse you glorify stupidity.
He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit holdeth up [to view] his folly.
30 A peaceful mind makes your body healthy, but jealousy makes your bones rot.
A sound heart is the life of the body; but jealousy is the rottenness of the bones.
31 Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, but anyone who is kind to the needy honors him.
He that oppresseth the poor blasphemeth his Maker; but he that is gracious to the needy honoreth him.
32 Wicked people are brought down by their own evil actions, but those who live right are confident even in death.
Through his own evil is the wicked thrust down; but even in his death doth the righteous have confidence.
33 Wisdom is at home in a mind that understands, but it's not found among stupid people.
In the heart of the man of understanding resteth wisdom: but [the little which is] in the bosom of fools is made known.
34 Doing right makes a nation successful, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Righteousness exalteth a people; but the disgrace of nations is sin.
35 A servant who acts wisely is appreciated by the king, but he gets angry with a servant who acts disgracefully.
The king's favor is bestowed on an intelligent servant; but his wrath is against him that deserveth shame.
