Proverbs 14

1Wise women build houses:

But a foolish one digs hers down with her hands.

2He that walks uprightly fears the Lord;

But he that is perverse in his ways shall be dishonored.

3Out of the mouth of fools comes a rod of pride;

But the lips of the wise preserve them.

4Where no oxen are, the cribs are clean;

But where there is abundant produce, the strength of the ox is apparent.

5A faithful witness does not lie;

But an unjust witness kindles falsehoods.

6Thou shalt seek wisdom with bad men, and shalt not find it;

But discretion is easily available with the prudent.

7All things are adverse to a foolish man;

But wise lips are the weapons of discretion.

8The wisdom of the prudent will understand their ways;

But the folly of fools leads astray.

9The houses of transgressors will need purification;

But the houses of the just are acceptable.

10If a man’s mind is intelligent, his soul is sorrowful;

And when he rejoices, he has no fellowship with pride.

11The houses of ungodly men shall be utterly destroyed;

But the tabernacles of them that walk uprightly shall stand.

12There is a way which seems to be right with men,

But the ends of it reach to the depth of hell.

13Grief mingles not with mirth;

And joy in the end comes to grief.

14A stouthearted man shall be filled with his own ways;

And a good man with his own thoughts.

15The simple believes every word:

But the prudent man betakes himself to afterthought.

16A wise man fears, and departs from evil;

But the fool trusts in himself, and joins himself with the transgressor.

17A passionate man acts inconsiderately;

But a sensible man bears up under many things.

18Fools shall have mischief for their portion;

But the prudent shall take fast hold of understanding.

19Evil men shall fall before the good;

And the ungodly shall attend at the gates of the righteous.

20Friends will hate poor friends;

But the friends of the rich are many.

21He that dishonors the needy sins:

But he that has pity on the poor is most blessed.

22They 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.

23With everyone who is careful there is abundance:

But the pleasure taking and indolent shall be in want.

24A prudent man is the crown of the wise:

But the occupation of fools is evil.

25A faithful witness shall deliver a soul from evil:

But a deceitful man kindles falsehoods.

26In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence:

And he leaves his children a support.

27The commandment of the Lord is a fountain of life;

And it causes men to turn aside from the snare of death.

28In a populous nation is the glory of a king:

But in the failure of people is the ruin of a prince.

29A man slow to wrath abounds in wisdom:

But a man of impatient spirit is very foolish.

30A meek-spirited man is a healer of the heart:

But a sensitive heart is a corruption of the bones.

31He that oppresses the needy provokes his Maker:

But he that honors him has pity upon the poor.

32The ungodly shall be driven away in his wickedness:

But he who is secure in his own holiness is just.

33There is wisdom in the good heart of a man:

But in the heart of fools it is not discerned.

34Righteousness exalts a nation:

But sins diminish tribes.

35An understanding servant is acceptable to a king;

And by his good behavior he removes disgrace.