Proverbs 14
1 Every wise woman buildeth her house; but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
Every wise woman builds her house, but the stupid woman tears it down with her own hands.
2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD; but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth Him.
Those who live right respect the Lord, but those who live dishonestly despise him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride; but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
What stupid people say punishes their pride, but what wise people say will protect them.
4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
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 false witness breatheth forth lies.
A trustworthy witness doesn't lie, but a false witness is deceptive.
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not; but knowledge is easy unto him that hath discernment.
It's pointless for a scoffer to look for wisdom, but knowledge comes easily to someone who understands.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, for thou wilt not perceive the lips of knowledge.
Stay away from stupid people—you won't learn anything from them.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to look well to his way; but the folly of fools is deceit.
Sensible people use their wisdom to decide where they're going, but the foolishness of stupid people is treacherous.
9 Amends pleadeth for fools; but among the upright there is good will.
Stupid people laugh at sin, but good people want forgiveness.
10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness; and with its joy no stranger can 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 overthrown; but the tent of the upright 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 right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
There's a way that seems to be right, but in the end it's the way of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart acheth; and the end of mirth is heaviness.
Even when you're laughing you can be feeling sad—joy can end in grief.
14 The dissembler in heart shall have his fill from his own ways; and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
Disloyal people are repaid for what they do, and good people are rewarded.
15 The thoughtless believeth every word; but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
Stupid people believe whatever they're told, but sensible people think about what they're doing.
16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; but the fool behaveth overbearingly, and is confident.
Wise people are careful and avoid evil, but stupid people are confidently reckless.
17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly; and a man of wicked devices is hated.
Quick-tempered people act foolishly, while people who make evil plans are hated.
18 The thoughtless come into possession of folly; but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The inheritance of stupid people is stupidity, but sensible people are rewarded with knowledge.
19 The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
Evil people bow down before good people, and the wicked bow down at the doors of those who do right.
20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour; but the rich hath many friends.
The poor are hated even by their neighbors, while the rich have many friends.
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth; but he that is gracious unto the humble, happy is he.
People who look down on their neighbors are sinners, but those who are kind to the poor are blessed.
22 Shall they not go astray that devise evil? But mercy and truth shall be for them that devise good.
Aren't people who plan to do evil wrong? But those who plan to do good have trustworthy love and faithfulness.
23 In all labour there is profit; but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
There's profit in hard work, but chatting just leads to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches; but the folly of fools remaineth folly.
The wise are rewarded with wealth, but stupid people are rewarded with stupidity.
25 A true witness delivereth souls; but he that breatheth forth lies is all deceit.
A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is treacherous.
26 In the fear of the LORD a man hath strong confidence; and his children shall have a place of refuge.
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 depart from the snares 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 king's glory; but in the want of people is the ruin 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 slow to anger is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
If you're slow to get angry, you're very wise; but if you have a short fuse you glorify stupidity.
30 A tranquil 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 blasphemeth his Maker; but he that is gracious unto the needy honoureth Him.
Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, but anyone who is kind to the needy honors him.
32 The wicked is thrust down in his misfortune; but the righteous, even when he is brought to death, hath hope.
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 him that hath discernment wisdom resteth; but in the inward part of fools it maketh itself known.
Wisdom is at home in a mind that understands, but it's not found among stupid people.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.
Doing right makes a nation successful, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 The king's favour is toward a servant that dealeth wisely; but his wrath striketh him that dealeth shamefully.
A servant who acts wisely is appreciated by the king, but he gets angry with a servant who acts disgracefully.
