Proverbs 14

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

Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.

He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.

3 The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect 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 manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.

5 A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies.

An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.

6 A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.

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

7 Stay away from a foolish man, for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.

Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.

The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.

9 Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but among the upright there is good will.

Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.

10 The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger.

The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy.

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

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

12 There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

13 Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, and mirth may end in heaviness.

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.

14 The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.

The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways.

15 A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.

The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.

16 A wise man fears and shuns evil, but the fool is hot headed and reckless.

A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.

17 He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated.

A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated.

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

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.

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

20 The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, but the rich person has many friends.

The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich.

21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but he who has pity on the poor is blessed.

He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.

22 Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.

Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness.

23 In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.

There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.

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

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

A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.

26 In the fear of the LORD is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.

He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death.

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

28 In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.

A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.

29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.

A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.

30 The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones.

A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.

Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.

32 The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge.

The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death.

33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools.

Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known.

34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

35 The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.

A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.