Proverbs 14
1 The wisest of women builds her house, but folly tears it down with her own hands.
2 Whoever walks in integrity fears the LORD, but whoever twists his ways despises him.
3 The fool’s mouth brings a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.
4 Without oxen, the feeding trough stays clean, but a strong ox brings a rich harvest.
5 A faithful witness does not lie, but one who breathes out lies is a false witness.
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
7 Stay away from a foolish man; you will find no words of knowledge on his lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his own way, but the folly of fools is deception.
9 Fools mock guilt, but among the upright there is goodwill.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger can share 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 person, but its end is the way of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.
14 The wayward in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man with the fruit of his own.
15 The naive believe every word, but the prudent watch their steps.
16 The wise fear danger and turn away from evil, but the fool rages and feels secure.
17 A quick-tempered person acts foolishly, and a man of schemes is hated.
18 The naive inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The wicked bow before the good, and the ungodly at the gates of the righteous.
20 Even a poor man is hated by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich.
21 Whoever despises his neighbor sins, but happy is the one who shows compassion to the humble.
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? Those who plot good find love and faithfulness.
23 Every hard-working effort brings gain, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools is folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.
26 In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and his children will have refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person away from the snares of death.
28 A king’s glory lies in his many people, but a ruler is ruined when his people are few.
29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but the impatient exalt folly.
30 A calm heart gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
31 Whoever oppresses the poor insults their Maker, but whoever shows compassion to the needy honors him.
32 The wicked are brought down by their own evil, but the righteous find refuge even in death.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning, but among fools it makes itself known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 The king favors a wise servant, but his anger falls on one who brings shame.
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