14
1 Every
wise woman builds
her house,
but the 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.
3 The fool’s
talk 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.
5 A truthful
witness will not
lie,
but a false
witness pours out
lies.
6 A scoffer
seeks wisdom,
and doesn’t find
it,
but knowledge
comes easily to
a discerning person.
7 Stay away
from a foolish
man,
for you won’t
find knowledge on
his lips.
8 The
wisdom of the
prudent is to think
about his way,
but the folly of
fools is deceit.
9 Fools mock
at making atonement for sins,
but among the
upright there is
good will.
10 The
heart knows its
own bitterness and
joy;
he will not
share these with a
stranger.
11 The
house of the
wicked will be
overthrown,
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.
13 Even
in laughter the
heart may be
sorrowful,
and mirth may end
in heaviness.
14 The unfaithful will
be repaid for
his own ways;
likewise a good
man will
be rewarded for
his ways.
15 A
simple man believes
everything,
but the prudent
man carefully considers
his ways.
16 A
wise man fears
and shuns evil,
but the fool
is hot headed and reckless.
17 He
who is quick to
become angry will
commit folly,
and a crafty man
is hated.
18 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.
20 The
poor person
is shunned even by
his own neighbor,
but the rich
person has many
friends.
21 He
who despises his
neighbor sins,
but he who has
pity on the
poor is blessed.
22 Don’t they
go astray who
plot evil?
But love and
faithfulness belong to those
who plan good.
23 In
all hard work
there is profit,
but the talk
of the lips leads
only to poverty.
24 The crown
of the wise
is their riches,
but the folly of fools
crowns them with folly.
25 A truthful
witness saves
souls,
but a false
witness is
deceitful.
26 In
the fear of
the LORD is
a secure fortress,
and he will
be a refuge
for his children.
27 The
fear of the
LORD is a
fountain of life,
turning people
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.
29 He
who is slow to
anger has great
understanding,
but he who
has a quick
temper displays folly.
30 The
life of the
body is a
heart at peace,
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.
32 The
wicked is brought
down in his
calamity,
but in death,
the righteous has
a refuge.
33 Wisdom
rests in the
heart of one who
has understanding,
and is even made
known in the
inward part of
fools.
34 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.