Proverbs 14

¹A wise woman builds her home,

but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

²Those who follow the right path fear the Lord;

those who take the wrong path despise him.

³A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him,

but the words of the wise keep them safe.

⁴Without oxen a stable stays clean,

but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.

⁵An honest witness does not lie;

a false witness breathes lies.

⁶A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it,

but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.

⁷Stay away from fools,

for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.

⁸The prudent understand where they are going,

but fools deceive themselves.

⁹Fools make fun of guilt,

but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.

¹⁰Each heart knows its own bitterness,

and no one else can fully share its joy.

¹¹The house of the wicked will be destroyed,

but the tent of the godly will flourish.

¹²There is a path before each person that seems right,

but it ends in death.

¹³Laughter can conceal a heavy heart,

but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

¹⁴Backsliders get what they deserve;

good people receive their reward.

¹⁵Only simpletons believe everything they’re told!

The prudent carefully consider their steps.

¹⁶The wise are cautious^a and avoid danger;

fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.

¹⁷Short-tempered people do foolish things,

and schemers are hated.

¹⁸Simpletons are clothed with foolishness,^b

but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

¹⁹Evil people will bow before good people;

the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.

²⁰The poor are despised even by their neighbors,

while the rich have many “friends.”

²¹It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor;

blessed are those who help the poor.

²²If you plan to do evil, you will be lost;

if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.

²³Work brings profit,

but mere talk leads to poverty!

²⁴Wealth is a crown for the wise;

the effort of fools yields only foolishness.

²⁵A truthful witness saves lives,

but a false witness is a traitor.

²⁶Those who fear the Lord are secure;

he will be a refuge for their children.

²⁷Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain;

it offers escape from the snares of death.

²⁸A growing population is a king’s glory;

a prince without subjects has nothing.

²⁹People with understanding control their anger;

a hot temper shows great foolishness.

³⁰A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;

jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

³¹Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,

but helping the poor honors him.

³²The wicked are crushed by disaster,

but the godly have a refuge when they die.

³³Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart;

wisdom is not^c found among fools.

³⁴Godliness makes a nation great,

but sin is a disgrace to any people.

³⁵A king rejoices in wise servants

but is angry with those who disgrace him.