Proverbs 14
1 Wise women build houses: but a foolish one digs [hers] 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 walks uprightly fears the Lord; but he that is perverse in his ways shall be dishonored.
One who walks on a virtuous journey, and who fears God, is despised by him who advances along a disreputable way.
3 Out of the mouth of fools [comes] a rod of pride; but the lips of the wise 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 cribs are clean; but where there is abundant produce, the strength of the ox is apparent.
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 does not lie; but an unjust witness kindles falsehoods.
A faithful witness will not lie. But a deceitful witness offers a lie.
6 You shall seek wisdom with bad men, and shall not find it; but discretion is easily available with the prudent.
A mocker seeks wisdom and does not find it. The doctrine of the prudent is accessible.
7 All things are adverse to a foolish man; but wise lips are the weapons of discretion.
Go against a foolish man, and he does not acknowledge lips of prudence.
8 The wisdom of the prudent will understand their ways; but the folly of fools leads astray.
The wisdom of a discerning man is to understand his way. And the imprudence of the foolish is to be wandering astray.
9 The houses of transgressors will need purification; but the houses of the just are acceptable.
The foolish will speak mockingly of sin. But grace lingers among the just.
10 [If] a man's mind is intelligent, his soul is sorrowful; and when he rejoices, he has no fellowship with pride.
The heart that knows the bitterness of its own soul, in its gladness the outsider shall not meddle.
11 The houses of ungodly men shall be utterly destroyed; but the tabernacles of them that walk uprightly shall stand.
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 seems to be right with men, but the ends of it reach to the depths of hell. (questioned)
There is a way which seems just to a man, but its conclusion leads to death.
13 Grief mingles not with mirth; and joy in the end comes to grief.
Laughter shall be mingled with sorrow, and mourning occupies the limits of joy.
14 A stout-hearted [man] shall be filled with his own ways; and a good man with his own thoughts.
The foolish will be filled up by his own ways. And the good man shall be above him.
15 The simple believes every word: but the prudent man betakes himself to afterthought.
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 fears, and departs from evil; but the fool trusts in himself, and joins himself with the transgressor.
The wise fear, and so turn away from evil. The foolish leap ahead with confidence.
17 A passionate man acts inconsiderately; but a sensible man bears up under many things.
The impatient will work foolishness. And a resourceful man is hated.
18 Fools shall have mischief for their portion; but the prudent shall take fast hold of understanding.
The childish will possess foolishness, and the discerning will anticipate knowledge.
19 Evil men shall fall before the good; and the ungodly shall attend 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 Friends will hate poor friends; but the friends of the rich are many.
The pauper will be hated, even by his own neighbor. Yet truly, the friends of the wealthy are many.
21 He that dishonors the needy sins: but he that has pity on the poor is most blessed.
Whoever despises his neighbor, sins. But whoever pities the poor shall be blessed. Whoever trusts in the Lord loves mercy.
22 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.
They wander astray who work evil. But mercy and truth prepare good things.
23 With every one [who is] careful there is abundance: but the pleasure-taking and indolent shall be in lack.
In every work, there shall be abundance. But where there are many words, there is often need.
24 A prudent man is the crown of the wise: but the occupation of fools is evil.
The crown of the wise is their wealth. The senselessness of the foolish is imprudence.
25 A faithful witness shall deliver a soul from evil: but a deceitful [man] kindles falsehoods.
A faithful witness frees souls. And the chameleon utters lies.
26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and he leaves his children a support.
In the fear of the Lord is the faithfulness of strength, and there shall be hope for his sons.
27 The commandment of the Lord is a fountain of life; and it causes [men] to turn aside from the snare of death.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, so as to turn aside from the ruin of death.
28 In a populous nation is the glory of a king: but in the failure of people is the ruin of a 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 A man slow to wrath abounds in wisdom: but a man of impatient spirit is very foolish.
Whoever is patient is governed by much prudence. But whoever is impatient exalts his foolishness.
30 A meek-spirited man is a healer of the heart: but a sensitive heart is a corruption of the bones.
The well-being of the heart is life for the flesh. But envy is decay for the bones.
31 He that oppresses the needy provokes his Maker: but he that honors him has pity upon the poor.
Whoever slanders the indigent argues against his Maker. But he who has compassion on the poor honors his Maker.
32 The ungodly shall be driven away in his wickedness: but he who is secure in his own holiness is just.
The impious will be expelled in his malice. But the just finds hope even in his own death.
33 There is wisdom in the good heart of a man: but in the heart of fools it is not discerned.
In the heart of the prudent, wisdom finds rest. And so shall he instruct all the uneducated.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation: but sins diminish tribes.
Justice elevates a nation. But sin makes the peoples miserable.
35 An understanding servant is acceptable to a king; and by his good behavior he removes disgrace.
An intelligent minister is acceptable to the king. Whoever is useless shall bear his wrath.
