Proverbs 14

1 Every wise woman buildeth her house; But the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands.

2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth Jehovah; But he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his pride; But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; But much increase is by the strength of the ox.

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

6 A scoffer seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not; But knowledge is easy unto him that hath understanding.

7 Go into the presence of a foolish man, And thou shalt not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.

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

9 A trespass-offering mocketh fools; But among the upright there is good will.

10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness; And a stranger doth not intermeddle with 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 seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death.

13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; And the end of mirth is heaviness.

14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways; And a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

15 The simple believeth every word; But the prudent man looketh well to his going.

16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; But the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident.

17 He that is soon angry will deal foolishly; And a man of wicked devices is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly; But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow down before the good; And the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbor; But the rich hath many friends.

21 He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth; But he that hath pity on the poor, happy is he.

22 Do they not err that devise evil? But mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

23 In all labor there is profit; But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches; But the folly of fools is only folly.

25 A true witness delivereth souls; But he that uttereth lies causeth deceit.

26 In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence; And his children shall have a place of refuge.

27 The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death.

28 In the multitude of people is the king’s glory; But in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

29 He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

30 A tranquil heart is the life of the flesh; But envy is the rottenness of the bones.

31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; But he that hath mercy on the needy honoreth him.

32 The wicked is thrust down in his evil-doing; But the righteous hath a refuge in his death.

33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding; But that which is in the inward part of fools is made known.

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people.

35 The king’s favor is toward a servant that dealeth wisely; But his wrath will be against him that causeth shame.

Proverbs 14

Wisdom makes good sense

1 A woman's family
is held together
by her wisdom,
but it can be destroyed
by her foolishness.

2 By living right, you show
that you respect the Lord;
by being deceitful, you show
that you despise him.

3 Proud fools are punished
for their stupid talk,
but sensible talk
can save your life.

4 Without the help of an ox
there can be no crop,
but with a strong ox
a big crop is possible.

5 An honest witness
tells the truth;
a dishonest witness
tells nothing but lies.

6 Make fun of wisdom,
and you will never find it.
But if you have understanding,
knowledge comes easily.

7 Stay away from fools,
or you won't learn a thing.

8 Wise people have enough sense
to find their way,
but stupid fools get lost.

9 Fools don't care
if they are wrong,t
but God is pleased
when people do right.

10 No one else can really know
how sad or happy you are.

11 The tent of a good person
stands longer than the house
of someone evil.

12 You may think you aret
on the right road
and still end up dead.

13 Sorrow may hide
behind laughter,
and happiness may end
in sorrow.

14 You harvest what you plant,
whether good or bad.

15 Don't be stupid
and believe all you hear;
be clever and know
where you are headed.

16 Only a stupid fool
is never cautious—
so be extra careful
and stay out of trouble.

17 Fools have quick tempers,
and no one likes you
if you can't be trusted.

18 Stupidity leads to foolishness;
be clever and learn.

19 The wicked will come crawling
to those who obey God.

20 You have no friends
if you are poor,
but you have lots of friends
if you are rich.

21 It's wrong to hate others,
but God blesses everyone
who is kind to the poor.

22 It's a mistake
to make evil plans,
but you will have loyal friends
if you want to do right.

23 Hard work is worthwhile,
but empty talk
will make you poor.

24 Wisdom can make you rich,
but foolishness leads
to more foolishness.

25 An honest witness
can save your life,
but liars can't be trusted.

26 If you respect the Lord,
you and your children
have a strong fortress

27 and a life-giving fountain
that keeps you safe
from deadly traps.

28 Rulers of powerful nations
are held in honour;
rulers of weak nations
are nothing at all.

29 It's clever to be patient,
but it's stupid
to lose your temper.

30 It's healthy to be content,
but envy can eat you up.

31 If you ill-treat the poor,
you insult your Creator;
if you are kind to them,
you show him respect.

32 In times of trouble
the wicked are destroyed,
but even at death
the innocent have faith.t

33 Wisdom is found in the minds
of people with good sense,
but fools don't know it.t

34 Doing right brings honour
to a nation,
but sin brings disgrace.

35 Kings reward servants
who act wisely,
but they punish those
who act foolishly.