Proverbs 14
1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
Wise women build houses: but a foolish one digs [hers] down with her hands.
2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but [he that is] perverse in his ways despiseth him.
He that walks uprightly fears the Lord; but he that is perverse in his ways shall be dishonoured.
3 In the mouth of the foolish [is] a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
Out of the mouth of fools [comes] a rod of pride; but the lips of the wise preserve them.
4 Where no oxen [are], the crib [is] clean: but much increase [is] by the strength of the ox.
Where no oxen are, the cribs are clean; but where there is abundant produce, the strength of the ox is apparent.
5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
A faithful witness does not lie; but an unjust witness kindles falsehoods.
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and [findeth it] not: but knowledge [is] easy unto him that understandeth.
You shall seek wisdom with bad men, and shall not find it; but discretion is easily available with the prudent.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not [in him] the lips of knowledge.
All things are adverse to a foolish man; but wise lips are the weapons of discretion.
8 The wisdom of the prudent [is] to understand his way: but the folly of fools [is] deceit.
The wisdom of the prudent will understand their ways; but the folly of fools leads astray.
9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous [there is] favour.
The houses of transgressors will need purification; but the houses of the just are acceptable.
10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
[If] a man's mind is intelligent, his soul is sorrowful; and when he rejoices, he has no fellowship with pride.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
The houses of ungodly men shall be utterly destroyed; but the tabernacles of them that walk uprightly shall stand.
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 to be right with men, but the ends of it reach to the depths of hell. (questioned)
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth [is] heaviness.
Grief mingles not with mirth; and joy in the end comes to grief.
14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man [shall be satisfied] from himself.
A stout-hearted [man] shall be filled with his own ways; and a good man with his own thoughts.
15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent [man] looketh well to his going.
The simple believes every word: but the prudent man betakes himself to afterthought.
16 A wise [man] feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
A wise man fears, and departs from evil; but the fool trusts in himself, and joins himself with the transgressor.
17 [He that is] soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
A passionate man acts inconsiderately; but a sensible man bears up under many things.
18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Fools shall have mischief for their portion; but the prudent shall take fast hold of understanding.
19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
Evil men shall fall before the good; and the ungodly shall attend at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich [hath] many friends.
Friends will hate poor friends; but the friends of the rich are many.
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy [is] he.
He that dishonours the needy sins: but he that has pity on the poor is most blessed.
22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth [shall be] to them that devise good.
They that go astray devise evils: but the good devise mercy and truth. The framers of evil do not understand mercy and truth: but compassion and faithfulness are with the framers of good.
23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to penury.
With every one [who is] careful there is abundance: but the pleasure-taking and indolent shall be in lack.
24 The crown of the wise [is] their riches: [but] the foolishness of fools [is] folly.
A prudent man is the crown of the wise: but the occupation of fools is evil.
25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful [witness] speaketh lies.
A faithful witness shall deliver a soul from evil: but a deceitful [man] kindles falsehoods.
26 In the fear of the LORD [is] strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and he leaves his children a support.
27 The fear of the LORD [is] a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
The commandment of the Lord is a fountain of life; and it causes [men] to turn aside from the snare of death.
28 In the multitude of people [is] the king’s honour: but in the want of people [is] the destruction of the prince.
In a populous nation is the glory of a king: but in the failure of people is the ruin of a prince.
29 [He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great understanding: but [he that is] hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
A man slow to wrath abounds in wisdom: but a man of impatient spirit is very foolish.
30 A sound heart [is] the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
A meek-spirited man is a healer of the heart: but a sensitive heart is a corruption of the bones.
31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
He that oppresses the needy provokes his Maker: but he that honours him has pity upon the poor.
32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
The ungodly shall be driven away in his wickedness: but he who is secure in his own holiness is just.
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but [that which is] in the midst of fools is made known.
There is wisdom in the good heart of a man: but in the heart of fools it is not discerned.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin [is] a reproach to any people.
Righteousness exalts a nation: but sins diminish tribes.
35 The king’s favour [is] toward a wise servant: but his wrath is [against] him that causeth shame.
An understanding servant is acceptable to a king; and by his good behaviour he removes disgrace.
