Proverbs 14

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

A wise woman builds up her household. But a foolish one will pull down with her own hands what has been built up.

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

One who walks on a virtuous journey, and who fears God, is despised by him who advances along a disreputable way.

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, there is a rod of arrogance. But the lips of the wise guard them.

4 Where no oxen [are], the crib [is] clean: but much increase [is] by the strength of the ox.

Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty. But where there are many crops, there the strength of the ox is manifest.

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

A faithful witness will not lie. But a deceitful witness offers a lie.

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

A mocker seeks wisdom and does not find it. The doctrine of the prudent is accessible.

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

Go against a foolish man, and he does not acknowledge lips of prudence.

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

The wisdom of a discerning man is to understand his way. And the imprudence of the foolish is to be wandering astray.

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

The foolish will speak mockingly of sin. But grace lingers among the just.

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

The heart that knows the bitterness of its own soul, in its gladness the outsider shall not meddle.

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

The house of the impious will be wiped away. Yet truly, the tabernacles of the just shall spring forth.

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 just to a man, but its conclusion leads to death.

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

Laughter shall be mingled with sorrow, and mourning occupies the limits of joy.

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

The foolish will be filled up by his own ways. And the good man shall be above him.

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

The innocent trust every word. The astute one considers his own steps. Nothing good will be for the deceitful son. But the wise servant shall act prosperously and his way will be set in order.

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

The wise fear, and so turn away from evil. The foolish leap ahead with confidence.

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

The impatient will work foolishness. And a resourceful man is hated.

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

The childish will possess foolishness, and the discerning will anticipate knowledge.

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

The evil will fall down before the good. And the impious will fall down before the gates of the just.

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

The pauper will be hated, even by his own neighbor. Yet truly, the friends of the wealthy are many.

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

Whoever despises his neighbor, sins. But whoever pities the poor shall be blessed. Whoever trusts in the Lord loves mercy.

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

They wander astray who work evil. But mercy and truth prepare good things.

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

In every work, there shall be abundance. But where there are many words, there is often need.

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

The crown of the wise is their wealth. The senselessness of the foolish is imprudence.

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

A faithful witness frees souls. And the chameleon utters lies.

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

In the fear of the Lord is the faithfulness of strength, and there shall be hope for his sons.

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, so as to turn aside from the ruin of death.

28 In the multitude of people [is] the king’s honour: but in the want of people [is] the destruction of the prince.

In a multitude of people, there is dignity for the king. And in a paucity of people, there is disgrace for the prince.

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

Whoever is patient is governed by much prudence. But whoever is impatient exalts his foolishness.

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

The well-being of the heart is life for the flesh. But envy is decay for the bones.

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

Whoever slanders the indigent argues against his Maker. But he who has compassion on the poor honors his Maker.

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

The impious will be expelled in his malice. But the just finds hope even in his own death.

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

In the heart of the prudent, wisdom finds rest. And so shall he instruct all the uneducated.

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

Justice elevates a nation. But sin makes the peoples miserable.

35 The king’s favour [is] toward a wise servant: but his wrath is [against] him that causeth shame.

An intelligent minister is acceptable to the king. Whoever is useless shall bear his wrath.