1A wise woman builds her house. But a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands.2Whoever has respect for the LORD lives a good life. But those who hate him walk down an evil path.3The proud words of a foolish person sting like a whip. But the things wise people say keep them safe.4Where there are no oxen, the feed box is empty. But a strong ox brings in huge harvests.5An honest witness does not lie. But a dishonest witness pours out lies.6Those who make fun of others look for wisdom and don’t find it. But knowledge comes easily to those who understand what is right.7Stay away from a foolish person. You won’t find knowledge in what they say.8People are wise and understanding when they think about the way they live. But people are foolish when their foolish ways trick them.9Foolish people laugh at making things right when they sin. But honest people try to do the right thing.10Each heart knows its own sadness. And no one else can share its joy.11The houses of sinners will be destroyed. But the tents of honest people will stand firm.12There is a way that appears to be right. But in the end it leads to death.13Even when you laugh, your heart can be hurting. And your joy can end in sadness.14Those who aren’t faithful will be paid back for what they’ve done. And good people will receive rewards for how they’ve lived.15A childish person believes anything. But a wise person thinks about how they live.16A wise person has respect for the LORD and avoids evil. But a foolish person has a bad temper and yet feels secure.17Anyone who gets angry quickly does foolish things. And a person who is tricky is hated.18Childish people act in keeping with their foolish ways. But knowledge makes wise people feel like kings.19Evil people will bow down in front of good people. And those who do wrong will bow down at the gates of those who do right.20Poor people are avoided even by their neighbours. But rich people have many friends.21It is a sin to hate your neighbour. But blessed is the person who is kind to those in need.22Those who plan evil go down the wrong path. But those who plan good find love and truth.23All hard work pays off. But if all you do is talk, you will be poor.24The wealth of wise people is their crown. But the foolish ways of foolish people lead to what is foolish.25An honest witness saves lives. But a dishonest witness tells lies.26Anyone who shows respect for the LORD has a strong tower. It will be a safe place for their children.27Respect for the LORD is like a fountain that gives life. It turns you away from the jaws of death.28A large population is a king’s glory. But a prince without followers is destroyed.29Anyone who is patient has great understanding. But anyone who gets angry quickly shows how foolish they are.30A peaceful heart gives life to the body. But jealousy rots the bones.31Anyone who crushes poor people makes fun of their Maker. But anyone who is kind to those in need honours God.32When trouble comes, sinners are brought down. But godly people seek safety in God even as they die.33Wisdom rests in the hearts of those who understand what is right. And even among foolish people she makes herself known.34Doing what is right lifts people up. But sin brings judgment to any nation.35A king is pleased with a wise servant. But a servant who is full of shame stirs up the king’s anger.
Proverbs 14
English Standard Version
1The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down. (De 25:9; Ru 4:11; Pr 9:1; Pr 11:11; Pr 24:3)2Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises him. (Pr 2:15; Pr 19:1; Pr 28:6)3By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back,[1] but the lips of the wise will preserve them. (Pr 12:6; Jer 18:18)4Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.5A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. (Ex 23:1; Pr 6:19)6A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. (Ps 25:9; Pr 8:9; Pr 15:14; Pr 17:24; Pr 24:7; 1Pe 5:5)7Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.9Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance.[2] (Pr 10:23)10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy. (1Sa 1:10; Job 3:20)11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. (Job 8:15; Job 21:28; Pr 3:33; Pr 15:25)12There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.[3] (Pr 5:5; Pr 7:27; Pr 12:15; Pr 16:25; Ro 6:21)13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. (Pr 10:1; Ec 2:2; Lu 6:25)14The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. (Pr 1:31; Pr 12:14; Isa 3:10; Mt 6:2; Mt 6:5)15The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. (Pr 1:4)16One who is wise is cautious[4] and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. (Job 28:28; Ps 34:14; Pr 3:7; Pr 22:3; Pr 27:12)17A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated. (Pr 14:29)18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.19The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous. (Ge 42:6; 1Sa 2:36)20The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends. (Pr 19:4; Pr 19:7)21Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. (Ps 41:1; Pr 11:12)22Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet[5] steadfast love and faithfulness. (Pr 3:3; Pr 3:29)23In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. (Pr 11:24; Pr 21:5; Pr 22:16)24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.25A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful. (Pr 14:5)26In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. (Ps 14:6; Ps 73:15; Pr 1:33)27The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. (Pr 10:11; Pr 13:14)28In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined. (1Ki 4:20)29Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. (Pr 14:17; Pr 16:32; Pr 19:11; Ec 7:9; Jas 1:19)30A tranquil[6] heart gives life to the flesh, but envy[7] makes the bones rot. (Ps 112:10; Pr 4:22; Pr 12:4)31Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. (Job 35:10; Pr 17:5; Pr 22:2; Pr 28:8; Mt 25:40; Mt 25:45)32The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death. (Ge 49:18; Nu 23:10; Job 19:25; Ps 16:11; Ps 17:15; Ps 23:4; Pr 24:16; 2Co 1:9; 2Co 5:8; 2Ti 4:18)33Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.[8] (Pr 12:16; Pr 29:11; Ec 7:9)34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.35A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully. (Pr 16:13; Pr 22:11; Mt 24:45)