Proverbs 14

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

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

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

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

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

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

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

34Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.footnote d

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

The Wise Woman

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

2He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD,but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.

3The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back,but the lips of the wise protect them.

4Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.

5An honest witness does not deceive,but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.

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

7Stay away from a foolish man;you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,but the folly of fools deceives them.

9Fools mock the making of amends,but goodwill is found among the upright.

10The heart knows its own bitterness,and no stranger shares in its joy.

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

12There is a way that seems right to a man,but its end is the way of death.

13Even in laughter the heart may ache,and joy may end in sorrow.

14The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways,but a good man is rewarded for his ways.

15The simple man believes every word,but the prudent man watches his steps.

16A wise man fearsfootnote aand turns from evil,but a fool is careless and reckless.

17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,and a devious man is hated.

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

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

20The poor man is hated even by his neighbor,but many are those who love the rich.

21He who despises his neighbor sins,but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.

22Do not those who contrive evil go astray?But those who plan goodness findfootnote bloving devotion and faithfulness.

23There is profit in all labor,but mere talk leads only to poverty.

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

25A truthful witness saves lives,but one who utters lies is deceitful.

26He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence,and his children shall have a place of refuge.

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

28A large population is a king’s splendor,but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.

29A patient man has great understanding,but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.

30A tranquil heart is life to the body,but envy rots the bones.

31Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker,but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.

32The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin,but the righteous man has a refuge even in death.

33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning;even among fools she is known.footnote c

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

35A king delights in a wise servant,but his anger falls on the shameful.