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^a 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^b 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.^c

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.