1 The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. |
2 He whose walk is upright fears the LORD ,
but he whose ways are devious despises him. |
3 A fool's talk 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 from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest. |
5 A truthful witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies. |
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. |
7 Stay away from a foolish man,
for you will not find knowledge on his lips. |
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
but the folly of fools is deception. |
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright. |
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share 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 in the end it leads to death. |
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and joy may end in grief. |
14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
and the good man rewarded for his. |
15 A simple man believes anything,
but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. |
16 A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil,
but a fool is hotheaded and reckless. |
17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things,
and a crafty man is hated. |
18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. |
19 Evil men will bow down in the presence of the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. |
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends. |
21 He who despises his neighbor sins,
but blessed is he who is kind to the needy. |
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?
But those who plan what is good find1 14:22 Or show love and faithfulness. |
23 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty. |
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
but the folly of fools yields folly. |
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is deceitful. |
26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress,
and for his children it will be a 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 glory,
but without subjects a prince is ruined. |
29 A patient man has great understanding,
but a quick-tempered man displays folly. |
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones. |
31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. |
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,
but even in death the righteous have a refuge. |
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning
and even among fools she lets herself be known.2 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac / but in the heart of fools she is not known |
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people. |
35 A king delights in a wise servant,
but a shameful servant incurs his wrath. |
