Proverbs 14

1The wise woman builds her house, but folly tears it down with her own hands.

2Whoever walks uprightly fears Yahweh, but whoever is devious in his ways despises him.

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

4Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty, but an abundant harvest comes by the strength of an ox.

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

6A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

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

8The wisdom of the shrewd is to understand their way, but the folly of fools is deception.

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

10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in 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 person, but its end is the way to death.

13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.

14The one whose heart turns away will get his fill of his own ways, and a good person will be satisfied with what is his.

15The simple believe everything, but the shrewd consider their steps.

16The wise are cautious and turn away from evil, but a fool is reckless and sure of himself.

17A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and a schemer is hated.

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

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

20The poor are disliked even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.

21Whoever despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is the one who is kind to the poor.

22Do those who plot evil not go astray? But loyalty and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.

23In all hard work there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

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

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

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

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

28A large population is a king’s glory, but without people a ruler is ruined.

29Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered puts folly on display.

30A peaceful heart gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

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

32The wicked are brought down by their own evil, but the righteous find refuge even in death.

33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning, and even among fools it becomes known.

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

35A king delights in a servant who acts wisely, but his fury falls on one who acts shamefully.