Proverbs 14
The Wise Woman
¹ Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
² He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.
³ The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
⁴ Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.
⁵ An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.
⁶ A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
⁷ Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.
⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.
⁹ Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.
¹⁰ The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy.
¹¹ The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
¹² 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 ache, and joy may end in sorrow.
¹⁴ The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways.
¹⁵ The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.
¹⁶ A wise man fears 1 and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.
¹⁷ A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated.
¹⁸ The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
¹⁹ The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
²⁰ 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 blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.
²² Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find 2 loving devotion and faithfulness.
²³ There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
²⁴ The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly.
²⁵ A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.
²⁶ 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 a man from the snares of death.
²⁸ A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.
²⁹ A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.
³⁰ A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
³¹ Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.
³² 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 the discerning; even among fools she is known.3
³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
³⁵ A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.