Proverbs 14

1 The wise among women buildeth her house; but the foolish pulleth it down with her own hands.

2 In his uprightness walketh he that feareth the Lord; but perverse in his ways is he that despiseth him.

3 In the mouth of the foolish is a stick [for his] pride; but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

4 Where no oxen are, is the crib clean; but the abundance of harvests is [only] through the strength of the ox.

5 A faithful witness will not lie; but a false witness constantly uttereth lies.

6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and there is none; but knowledge is easy to the man of understanding.

7 Go far away from a foolish man, else thou wilt [never] know the lips of knowledge.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way; but the folly of fools is deceit.

9 The fool maketh a mockery of guilt; but among the upright there is good will.

10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness; and with its joy can no stranger intermeddle.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed: but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12 There is many a way which seemeth even before a man; but its end are ways unto death.

13 Even in laughter the heart feeleth pain; and at its end joy is sorrow.

14 The backslider in heart will have enough of his own ways; and from him [departeth] the good men.

15 The simple believeth every word; but the prudent man understandeth his steps.

16 A wise man is fearful, and departeth from evil; but the fool exciteth himself, and is confident.

17 He that is soon angry committeth folly; and a man of wicked devices is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly; but the prudent crown themselves with knowledge.

19 The bad sink down before the good; and the wicked are at the gates of the righteous.

20 Even to his own neighbor is the poor man hateful; but the friends of the rich are many.

21 He that despiseth his neighbor is a sinner; but he that is gracious to the poor—happiness attend him!

22 Behold, those who contrive evil are in error; but kindness and truth attend on those who contrive what is good.

23 In all painful labor there is profit; but mere words of the lips [lead] only to want.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches; but the folly of fools is [only] folly.

25 A deliverer of souls is the true witness; but a witness of deceit uttereth lies.

26 In the fear of the Lord is the strong confidence [of man], and unto his children will it be a place of shelter.

27 The fear of the Lord is the source of life, [teaching] to avoid the snares of death.

28 In the multitude of people is the king's glory; but in the want of a population is the downfall of the prince.

29 He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit holdeth up [to view] his folly.

30 A sound heart is the life of the body; but jealousy is the rottenness of the bones.

31 He that oppresseth the poor blasphemeth his Maker; but he that is gracious to the needy honoreth him.

32 Through his own evil is the wicked thrust down; but even in his death doth the righteous have confidence.

33 In the heart of the man of understanding resteth wisdom: but [the little which is] in the bosom of fools is made known.

34 Righteousness exalteth a people; but the disgrace of nations is sin.

35 The king's favor is bestowed on an intelligent servant; but his wrath is against him that deserveth shame.