Proverbs 14
1 Every wise woman buildeth her house; but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
A wise woman builds up her household. But a foolish one will pull down with her own hands what has been built up.
2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD; but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth Him.
One who walks on a virtuous journey, and who fears God, is despised by him who advances along a disreputable way.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride; but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
In the mouth of the foolish, there is a rod of arrogance. But the lips of the wise guard them.
4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty. But where there are many crops, there the strength of the ox is manifest.
5 A faithful witness will not lie; but a false witness breatheth forth lies.
A faithful witness will not lie. But a deceitful witness offers a lie.
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not; but knowledge is easy unto him that hath discernment.
A mocker seeks wisdom and does not find it. The doctrine of the prudent is accessible.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, for thou wilt not perceive the lips of knowledge.
Go against a foolish man, and he does not acknowledge lips of prudence.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to look well to his way; but the folly of fools is deceit.
The wisdom of a discerning man is to understand his way. And the imprudence of the foolish is to be wandering astray.
9 Amends pleadeth for fools; but among the upright there is good will.
The foolish will speak mockingly of sin. But grace lingers among the just.
10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness; and with its joy no stranger can intermeddle.
The heart that knows the bitterness of its own soul, in its gladness the outsider shall not meddle.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown; but the tent of the upright shall flourish.
The house of the impious will be wiped away. Yet truly, the tabernacles of the just shall spring forth.
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
There is a way which seems just to a man, but its conclusion leads to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart acheth; and the end of mirth is heaviness.
Laughter shall be mingled with sorrow, and mourning occupies the limits of joy.
14 The dissembler in heart shall have his fill from his own ways; and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
The foolish will be filled up by his own ways. And the good man shall be above him.
15 The thoughtless believeth every word; but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
The innocent trust every word. The astute one considers his own steps. Nothing good will be for the deceitful son. But the wise servant shall act prosperously and his way will be set in order.
16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; but the fool behaveth overbearingly, and is confident.
The wise fear, and so turn away from evil. The foolish leap ahead with confidence.
17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly; and a man of wicked devices is hated.
The impatient will work foolishness. And a resourceful man is hated.
18 The thoughtless come into possession of folly; but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The childish will possess foolishness, and the discerning will anticipate knowledge.
19 The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
The evil will fall down before the good. And the impious will fall down before the gates of the just.
20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour; but the rich hath many friends.
The pauper will be hated, even by his own neighbor. Yet truly, the friends of the wealthy are many.
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth; but he that is gracious unto the humble, happy is he.
Whoever despises his neighbor, sins. But whoever pities the poor shall be blessed. Whoever trusts in the Lord loves mercy.
22 Shall they not go astray that devise evil? But mercy and truth shall be for them that devise good.
They wander astray who work evil. But mercy and truth prepare good things.
23 In all labour there is profit; but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
In every work, there shall be abundance. But where there are many words, there is often need.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches; but the folly of fools remaineth folly.
The crown of the wise is their wealth. The senselessness of the foolish is imprudence.
25 A true witness delivereth souls; but he that breatheth forth lies is all deceit.
A faithful witness frees souls. And the chameleon utters lies.
26 In the fear of the LORD a man hath strong confidence; and his children shall have a place of refuge.
In the fear of the Lord is the faithfulness of strength, and there shall be hope for his sons.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, so as to turn aside from the ruin of death.
28 In the multitude of people is the king's glory; but in the want of people is the ruin of the prince.
In a multitude of people, there is dignity for the king. And in a paucity of people, there is disgrace for the prince.
29 He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Whoever is patient is governed by much prudence. But whoever is impatient exalts his foolishness.
30 A tranquil heart is the life of the flesh; but envy is the rottenness of the bones.
The well-being of the heart is life for the flesh. But envy is decay for the bones.
31 He that oppresseth the poor blasphemeth his Maker; but he that is gracious unto the needy honoureth Him.
Whoever slanders the indigent argues against his Maker. But he who has compassion on the poor honors his Maker.
32 The wicked is thrust down in his misfortune; but the righteous, even when he is brought to death, hath hope.
The impious will be expelled in his malice. But the just finds hope even in his own death.
33 In the heart of him that hath discernment wisdom resteth; but in the inward part of fools it maketh itself known.
In the heart of the prudent, wisdom finds rest. And so shall he instruct all the uneducated.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.
Justice elevates a nation. But sin makes the peoples miserable.
35 The king's favour is toward a servant that dealeth wisely; but his wrath striketh him that dealeth shamefully.
An intelligent minister is acceptable to the king. Whoever is useless shall bear his wrath.
