Proverbs 14

1A wise woman builds her house, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

2Whoever walks in uprightness fears Yahweh, but the one whose ways are crooked despises him.

3In a fool’s mouth is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.

4Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of an ox.

5A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.

6A scoffer seeks wisdom but finds none, while knowledge comes easily to one who has understanding.

7Go away from a foolish man, for you will not find words of knowledge on his lips.

8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.

9Fools mock guilt, but among the upright there is favor.

10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.

11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the ways of death.

13Even in laughter the heart aches, and the end of joy is grief.

14The one whose heart turns away will have his fill from his own ways, but a good man from what is upon him.

15A simple man believes every word, but a prudent man considers his steps.

16A wise man fears and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and confident.

17A short-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of schemes is hated.

18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20A poor person is hated even by his neighbor, but those who love the rich are many.

21Whoever despises his neighbor sins, but whoever is gracious to the poor is blessed.

22Do not those who devise evil go astray? But steadfast love and faithfulness are for those who devise good.

23In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to lack.

24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools is folly.

25A truthful witness rescues lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.

26In the fear of Yahweh there is strong confidence, and his children have a refuge.

27The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, turning one away from the snares of death.

28A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of people is a ruler’s downfall.

29One who is slow to anger has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

30A tranquil heart is life to the body, but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.

31Whoever oppresses the poor insults his Maker, but whoever is gracious to the needy honors him.

32In his calamity the wicked is driven away, but the righteous takes refuge at his death.

33Wisdom rests in the heart of a discerning man, but in the midst of fools it makes itself known.

34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to peoples.

35A king’s favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, but his wrath is against one who brings shame.