Proverbs 14

1  EVERY WISE woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.2  He who walks in uprightness reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, but he who is contrary and devious in his ways despises Him.3  In the fool’s own mouth is a rod [to shame] his pride, but the wise men’s lips preserve them.4  Where no oxen are, the grain crib is empty, but much increase [of crops] comes by the strength of the ox.5  A faithful witness will not lie, but a false witness breathes out falsehoods.6  A scoffer seeks Wisdom in vain [for his very attitude blinds and deafens him to it], but knowledge is easy to him who [being teachable] understands.7  Go from the presence of a foolish and self-confident man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.8  The Wisdom [godly Wisdom, which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of [self-confident] fools is to deceive.9  Fools make a mock of sin and sin mocks the fools [who are its victims; a sin offering made by them only mocks them, bringing them disappointment and disfavor], but among the upright there is the favor of God. 10  The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.11  The house of the wicked shall be overthrown, but the tent of the upright shall flourish.12  There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.13  Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of mirth is heaviness and grief.14  The backslider in heart [from God and from fearing God] shall be filled with [the fruit of] his own ways, and a good man shall be satisfied with [the fruit of] his ways [with the holy thoughts and actions which his heart prompts and in which he delights].15  The simpleton believes every word he hears, but the prudent man looks and considers well where he is going.16  A wise man suspects danger and cautiously avoids evil, but the fool bears himself insolently and is [presumptuously] confident.17  He who foams up quickly and flies into a passion deals foolishly, and a man of wicked plots and plans is hated.18  The simple acquire folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.19  The evil men bow before the good, and the wicked [stand suppliantly] at the gates of the [uncompromisingly] righteous.20  The poor is hated even by his own neighbor, but the rich has many friends.21  He who despises his neighbor sins [against God, his fellowman, and himself], but happy (blessed and fortunate) is he who is kind and merciful to the poor.22  Do they not err who devise evil and wander from the way of life? But loving-kindness and mercy, loyalty and faithfulness, shall be to those who devise good.23  In all labor there is profit, but idle talk leads only to poverty.24  The crown of the wise is their wealth of Wisdom, but the foolishness of [self-confident] fools is [nothing but] folly.25  A truthful witness saves lives, but a deceitful witness speaks lies [and endangers lives].26  In the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children shall always have a place of refuge.27  Reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death. 28  In a multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in a lack of people is the prince’s ruin.29  He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is hasty of spirit exposes and exalts his folly. 30  A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.31  He who oppresses the poor reproaches, mocks, and insults his Maker, but he who is kind and merciful to the needy honors Him. 32  The wicked is overthrown through his wrongdoing and calamity, but the [consistently] righteous has hope and confidence even in death.33  Wisdom rests [silently] in the mind and heart of him who has understanding, but that which is in the inward part of [self-confident] fools is made known. 34  Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.35  The king’s favor is toward a wise and discreet servant, but his wrath is against him who does shamefully.

Proverbs 14

A Way That Leads to Hell

1 Lady Wisdom builds a lovely home; Sir Fool comes along and tears it down brick by brick.
2 An honest life shows respect for God; a degenerate life is a slap in his face.
3 Frivolous talk provokes a derisive smile; wise speech evokes nothing but respect.
4 No cattle, no crops; a good harvest requires a strong ox for the plow.
5 A true witness never lies; a false witness makes a business of it.
6 Cynics look high and low for wisdom—and never find it; the open-minded find it right on their doorstep!
7 Escape quickly from the company of fools; they're a waste of your time, a waste of your words.
8 The wisdom of the wise keeps life on track; the foolishness of fools lands them in the ditch.
9 The stupid ridicule right and wrong, but a moral life is a favored life.
10 The person who shuns the bitter moments of friends will be an outsider at their celebrations.
11 Lives of careless wrongdoing are tumbledown shacks; holy living builds soaring cathedrals.
12-13 There's a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again—it leads straight to hell. Sure, those people appear to be having a good time, but all that laughter will end in heartbreak.

Sift and Weigh Every Word

14 A mean person gets paid back in meanness, a gracious person in grace.
15 The gullible believe anything they're told; the prudent sift and weigh every word.
16 The wise watch their steps and avoid evil; fools are headstrong and reckless.
17 The hotheaded do things they'll later regret; the coldhearted get the cold shoulder.
18 Foolish dreamers live in a world of illusion; wise realists plant their feet on the ground.
19 Eventually, evil will pay tribute to good; the wicked will respect God-loyal people.
20 An unlucky loser is shunned by all, but everyone loves a winner.
21 It's criminal to ignore a neighbor in need, but compassion for the poor—what a blessing!
22 Isn't it obvious that conspirators lose out, while the thoughtful win love and trust?
23 Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table.
24 The wise accumulate wisdom; fools get stupider by the day.
25 Souls are saved by truthful witness and betrayed by the spread of lies.
26 The Fear-of-God builds up confidence, and makes a world safe for your children.
27 The Fear-of-God is a spring of living water so you won't go off drinking from poisoned wells.
28 The mark of a good leader is loyal followers; leadership is nothing without a following.
29 Slowness to anger makes for deep understanding; a quick-tempered person stockpiles stupidity.
30 A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones.
31 You insult your Maker when you exploit the powerless; when you're kind to the poor, you honor God.
32 The evil of bad people leaves them out in the cold; the integrity of good people creates a safe place for living.
33 Lady Wisdom is at home in an understanding heart— fools never even get to say hello.
34 God-devotion makes a country strong; God-avoidance leaves people weak.
35 Diligent work gets a warm commendation; shiftless work earns an angry rebuke.