Proverbs 14

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

Every wise woman builds her house: but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.

2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD; but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth Him.

He that walks in his uprightness fears the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despises him.

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

In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of 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.

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 breatheth forth lies.

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

6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not; but knowledge is easy unto him that hath discernment.

A scorner seeks wisdom, and finds it not: but knowledge is easy to him that understands.

7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, for thou wilt not perceive the lips of knowledge.

Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you perceive not in him the lips of knowledge.

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

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

9 Amends pleadeth for fools; but among the upright there is good will.

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

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

The heart knows his own bitterness; and a stranger does not intermeddle with his joy.

11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown; but the tent of the upright 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 right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

13 Even in laughter the heart acheth; and the end of mirth is heaviness.

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

14 The dissembler in heart shall have his fill from his own ways; and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

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

15 The thoughtless believeth every word; but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

The simple believes every word: but the prudent man looks well to his going.

16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; but the fool behaveth overbearingly, and is confident.

A wise man fears, and departs from evil: but the fool rages, and is confident.

17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly; and a man of wicked devices is hated.

He that is soon angry deals foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

18 The thoughtless come into possession of folly; but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

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

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

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

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

The poor is hated even of his own neighbor: but the rich has many friends.

21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth; but he that is gracious unto the humble, happy is he.

He that despises his neighbor sins: but he that has mercy on the poor, happy is he.

22 Shall they not go astray that devise evil? But mercy and truth shall be for them that devise good.

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

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

In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tends only to penury.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches; but the folly of fools remaineth folly.

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

25 A true witness delivereth souls; but he that breatheth forth lies is all deceit.

A true witness delivers souls: but a deceitful witness speaks lies.

26 In the fear of the LORD a man hath strong confidence; and his children shall have a place of refuge.

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 depart from the snares 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 king's glory; but in the want of people is the ruin 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 slow to anger is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

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

30 A tranquil 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 blasphemeth his Maker; but he that is gracious unto the needy honoureth Him.

He that oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker: but he that honors him has mercy on the poor.

32 The wicked is thrust down in his misfortune; but the righteous, even when he is brought to death, hath hope.

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

33 In the heart of him that hath discernment wisdom resteth; but in the inward part of fools it maketh itself known.

Wisdom rests in the heart of him that has understanding: but that which is in the middle of fools is made known.

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

Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

35 The king's favour is toward a servant that dealeth wisely; but his wrath striketh him that dealeth shamefully.

The king’s favor is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causes shame.