Proverbs 14
1 Wise women build houses:
but a foolish one diggeth hers down with her hands.
2 He that walketh uprightly feareth the Lord;
but he that is perverse in his ways shall be dishonoured.
3 Out of the mouth of fools cometh a rod of pride;
but the lips of the wise preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the cribs are clean;
but where there is abundant produce, the strength of the ox is apparent.
5 A faithful witness doth not lie;
but an unjust witness kindleth falsehoods.
6 Thou shalt seek wisdom with bad men, and shalt not find it;
but discretion is easily available with the prudent.
7 All things are adverse to a foolish man;
but wise lips are the weapons of discretion.
8 The wisdom of the prudent will understand their ways;
but the folly of fools leadeth astray.
9 The houses of transgressors [1]will need purification;
but the houses of the just are acceptable.
10 If a man’s [2]mind is intelligent, his soul is sorrowful;
and when he rejoiceth, he hath no fellowship with pride.
11 The houses of ungodly men shall be utterly destroyed;
but the tabernacles of them that walk uprightly shall stand.
12 There is a way which seemeth to be right with men,
but the ends of it [3]reach to the depth of hell.
13 Grief mingleth not with mirth;
and joy in the end cometh to grief.
14 A [4]stout-hearted man shall be filled with his own ways;
and a good man with his own thoughts.
15 The simple believeth every word:
but the prudent man betaketh himself to after-thought.
16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil;
but the fool trusteth in himself, and joineth himself with the transgressor.
17 A passionate man acteth inconsiderately;
but a sensible man beareth up under many things.
18 Fools shall have mischief for their portion;
but the prudent shall take fast hold of understanding.
19 Evil men shall fall before the good;
and the ungodly shall attend at the gates of the righteous.
20 Friends will hate poor friends;
but the friends of the rich are many.
21 He that dishonoureth the needy sinneth:
but he that hath pity on the poor is most blessed.
22 They that go astray devise evils:
but the good devise mercy and truth.
The framers of evil do not understand mercy and truth:
but compassion and faithfulness are with the framers of good.
23 With every one who is careful there is abundance:
but the pleasure-taking and indolent shall be in want.
24 A prudent man is the crown of the wise:
but the occupation of fools is evil.
25 A faithful witness shall deliver a soul from evil:
but a deceitful man kindleth falsehoods.
26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence:
and he leaveth his children a support.
27 The commandment of the Lord is a fountain of life;
and it causeth men to turn aside from the snare of death.
28 In a populous nation is the glory of a king:
but in the failure of people is the ruin of a prince.
29 A man slow to wrath aboundeth in wisdom:
but a man of impatient spirit is very foolish.
30 A meek-spirited man is a healer of the heart:
but a sensitive heart is a corruption of the bones.
31 He that oppresseth the needy provoketh his Maker:
but he that honoureth him hath pity upon the poor.
32 The ungodly shall be driven away in his wickedness:
but [5]he who is secure in his own holiness is just.
33 There is wisdom in the good heart of a man:
but in the heart of fools it is not discerned.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation:
but sins diminish tribes.
35 An understanding servant is acceptable to a king;
and by his good behaviour he removeth disgrace.