Proverbs 14

¹Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands. ²He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him. ³The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. ⁴Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox. ⁵A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies. ⁶A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person. ⁷Stay away from a foolish man, for you won’t find knowledge on his lips. ⁸The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit. ⁹Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but among the upright there is good will. ¹⁰The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger. ¹¹The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish. ¹²There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. ¹³Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, and mirth may end in heaviness. ¹⁴The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways. ¹⁵A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways. ¹⁶A wise man fears and shuns evil, but the fool is hot headed and reckless. ¹⁷He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated. ¹⁸The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. ¹⁹The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. ²⁰The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, but the rich person has many friends. ²¹He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who has pity on the poor. ²²Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good. ²³In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty. ²⁴The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly. ²⁵A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful. ²⁶In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children. ²⁷The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death. ²⁸In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince. ²⁹He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly. ³⁰The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones. ³¹He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him. ³²The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge. ³³Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools. ³⁴Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. ³⁵The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.

World English Bible (public domain)