Proverbs 14

1 The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

2 Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

3 A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,
but the lips of the wise protect them.

4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.

5 An honest witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies.

6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

7 Stay away from the foolish,
for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
but the folly of fools is deception.

9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright.

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.

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

12 There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.

13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.

14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
and the good rewarded for theirs.

15 The simple believe anything,
but the prudent give thought to their steps.

16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,
but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

17 The quick-tempered do foolish things,
and those who devise evil schemes are hated.

18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,
but blessed are those who are kind to the needy.

22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?
But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.

23 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
but the folly of fools yields folly.

25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is deceitful.

26 Those who fear the Lord have a secure fortress,
and for their children it will be a refuge.

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning a person from the snares of death.

28 A large population is a king’s glory,
but without subjects a prince is ruined.

29 Those who are patient have great understanding,
but the quick-tempered display folly.

30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.

31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,
but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.

33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning
and even among fools she lets herself be known.

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin condemns any people.

35 A king delights in a wise servant,
but a shameful servant arouses his fury.

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  t You may think you are
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 smart 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 smart 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 honor;
rulers of weak nations
are nothing at all.

29 It's smart 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 mistreat 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 honor
to a nation,
but sin brings disgrace.

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