Proverbs 14
[1] The wisest of women builds her house,
but folly with her own hands tears it down.
[2] Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD,
but he who is devious in his ways despises him.
[3] By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back,
but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
[4] Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
[5] A faithful witness does not lie,
but a false witness breathes out lies.
[6] A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
[7] Leave the presence of a fool,
for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
[8] The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
but the folly of fools is deceiving.
[9] Fools mock at the guilt offering,
but the upright enjoy acceptance.
[10] The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no stranger shares 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 its end is the way to death.
[13] Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and the end of joy may be grief.
[14] The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways,
and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
[15] The simple believes everything,
but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
[16] One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil,
but a fool is reckless and careless.
[17] A man of quick temper acts foolishly,
and a man of evil devices is hated.
[18] The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
[19] The evil bow down before the good,
the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
[20] The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
but the rich has many friends.
[21] Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner,
but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
[22] Do they not go astray who devise evil?
Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.
[23] In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk tends only to poverty.
[24] The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but the folly of fools brings folly.
[25] A truthful witness saves lives,
but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.
[26] In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence,
and his children will have a refuge.
[27] The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
that one may turn away from the snares of death.
[28] In a multitude of people is the glory of a king,
but without people a prince is ruined.
[29] Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
[30] A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh,
but envy makes the bones rot.
[31] Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker,
but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
[32] The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,
but the righteous finds refuge in his death.
[33] Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding,
but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.
[34] Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
[35] A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor,
but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully. (ESV)
