< Proverbs 14 >

1 Every wise woman builds her house, but the stupid woman tears it down with her own hands.
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands.
2 Those who live right respect the Lord, but those who live dishonestly despise him.
He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways 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 rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4 Without oxen, the manger is empty, but a good harvest comes through the ox's strength.
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by 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 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 [findeth it] not: but knowledge is easy unto him that hath understanding.
7 Stay away from stupid people—you won't learn anything from them.
Go into the presence of a foolish man, and thou shalt not perceive [in him] 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 foolish make a mock at 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 a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.
11 The house of wicked people will be destroyed, but the tent of good people will prosper.
The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tent of the upright shall flourish.
12 There's a way that seems to be right, but in the end it's the way of death.
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
13 Even when you're laughing you can be feeling sad—joy can end in grief.
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of mirth is heaviness.
14 Disloyal people are repaid for what they do, and good people are rewarded.
The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man [shall be satisfied] from himself.
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 looketh well to his going.
16 Wise people are careful and avoid evil, but stupid people are confidently reckless.
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident.
17 Quick-tempered people act foolishly, while people who make evil plans are hated.
He that is soon angry will deal foolishly: 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 are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evil people bow down before good people, and the wicked bow down at the doors of those who do right.
The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor are hated even by their neighbors, while the rich have many friends.
The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
21 People who look down on their neighbors are sinners, but those who are kind to the poor are blessed.
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath pity on the poor, happy is he.
22 Aren't people who plan to do evil wrong? But those who plan to do good have trustworthy love and faithfulness.
Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth [shall be to] them that devise good.
23 There's profit in hard work, but chatting just leads to poverty.
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to penury.
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 true witness delivereth souls: but he that uttereth lies [causeth] deceit.
26 People who honor the Lord are completely safe; he will protect their children.
In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
27 Respecting the Lord is like a fountain of life, so you can avoid the snares of death.
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from 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 people is the destruction 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 exalteth folly.
30 A peaceful mind makes your body healthy, but jealousy makes your bones rot.
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy 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 reproacheth his Maker: but he that hath mercy on the needy honoureth him.
32 Wicked people are brought down by their own evil actions, but those who live right are confident even in death.
The wicked is thrust down in his evil-doing: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
33 Wisdom is at home in a mind that understands, but it's not found among stupid people.
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but [that which is] in the inward part of fools is made known.
34 Doing right makes a nation successful, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 A servant who acts wisely is appreciated by the king, but he gets angry with a servant who acts disgracefully.
The king’s favour is toward a servant that dealeth wisely: but his wrath shall be [against] him that causeth shame.

< Proverbs 14 >