Proverbs 14

1 A wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish will pull down with her hands that also which is built.

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

2 He that walketh in the right way, and feareth God, Cis despised by him that goeth by an infamous way.

He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but [he that is] perverse in his ways despiseth him.

3 In the mouth of a fool is the rod of pride: but the lips of the wise preserve them.

In the mouth of the foolish [is] a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

4 Where there are no oxen, the crib is empty: but where there is much corn, there the strength of the ox is manifest.

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 deceitful witness uttereth a lie.

A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: the learning of the wise is easy.

A scorner seeketh wisdom, and [findeth it] not: but knowledge [is] easy to him that understandeth.

7 Go against a foolish man, and he knoweth not the lips of prudence.

Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not [in him] the lips of knowledge.

8 The wisdom of a. discreet man is to understand his way: and the imprudence of fools erreth.

The wisdom of the prudent [is] to understand his way: but the folly of fools [is] deceit.

9 A fool will laugh at sin, but among the just grace shall abide.

Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous [there is] favor.

10 The heart that knoweth the bitterness of his own soul, in his joy the stranger shall not intermeddle.

The heart knoweth its own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.

11 The house of the wicked shall be destroyed: but the tabernacles of the just shall flourish.

The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

12 There is a way which seemeth just to a man: but the ends thereof lead to death.

There is a way which seemeth right to a man, but the end of it [are] the ways of death.

13 Laughter shall be mingled with sorrow, and mourning taketh hold of the end of joy.

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth [is] heaviness.

14 A fool shall be filled with his own ways, and the good man shall be above him.

The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man [shall be satisfied] from himself.

15 The innocent believeth every word: the discreet man considereth his steps. No good shall come to the deceitful son: but the wise servant shall prosper in his dealings, and his way shall be made straight.

The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

16 A wise man feareth and declineth from evil: the fool leapeth over and is confident.

A wise [man] feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

17 The impatient man shall work folly: and the crafty man is hateful.

[He that is] soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

18 The childish shall possess folly, and the prudent, shall look for knowledge.

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

19 The evil shall fall down before the good: and the wicked before the gates of the just.

The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor man shall be hateful even to his own neighbour: but the friends of the rich are many.

The poor is hated even by his own neighbor: but the rich [hath] many friends.

21 He that despiseth his neighbour, sinneth: but he that sheweth mercy to the poor, shall be blessed. He that believeth in the Lord, loveth mercy.

He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy [is] he.

22 They err that work evil: but mercy and truth prepare good things.

Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth [shall be] to them that devise good.

23 In much work there shall be abundance: but where there are many words, there is oftentimes want.

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: the folly of fools, imprudence.

The crown of the wise [is] their riches: [but] the foolishness of fools [is] folly.

25 A faithful witness delivereth souls: and the double dealer uttereth lies.

A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful [witness] speaketh lies.

26 In the fear of the Lord is confidence of strength, and there shall be hope for his children.

In the fear of the LORD [is] strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to decline from the ruin of death.

The fear of the LORD [is] a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

28 In the multitude of people is the dignity of the king: and in the small number of people the dishonour of the prince.

In the multitude of people [is] the king's honor: but in the want of people [is] the destruction of the prince.

29 He that is patient, is governed with much wisdom: but he that is impatient, exalteth his folly.

[He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great understanding: but [he that is] hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

30 Soundness of heart is the life of the flesh: but envy is the rottenness of the bones.

A sound heart [is] the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

31 He that oppresseth the poor, upbraideth his Maker: but he that hath pity on the poor, honoureth him.

He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoreth him hath mercy on the poor.

32 The wicked man shall be driven out in his wickedness: but the just hath hope in his death.

The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

33 In the heart of the prudent resteth wisdom, and it shall instruct all the ignorant.

Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but [that which is] in the midst of fools is made known.

34 Justice exalteth a nation: but sin maketh nations miserable.

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin [is] a reproach to any people.

35 A wise servant is acceptable to the king: he that is good for nothing shall feel his anger.

The king's favor [is] towards a wise servant: but his wrath is [against] him that causeth shame.