14 (A)The wisest of women (B)builds her house,
    but folly with her own hands (C)tears it down.
Whoever (D)walks in uprightness fears the Lord,
    but he who is (E)devious in his ways despises him.
By the mouth of a fool comes (F)a rod for his back,[a]
    (G)but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
    but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
(H)A faithful witness does not lie,
    but (I)a false witness breathes out lies.
(J)A scoffer seeks wisdom (K)in vain,
    but (L)knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
Leave the presence of a fool,
    for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
    but the folly of fools is deceiving.
(M)Fools mock at the guilt offering,
    but the upright enjoy acceptance.[b]
10 The heart knows its own (N)bitterness,
    and no stranger shares its joy.
11 (O)The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 (P)There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but (Q)its end is the way to death.[c]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:3 Or In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride
  2. Proverbs 14:9 Hebrew but among the upright is acceptance
  3. Proverbs 14:12 Hebrew ways of death

14 The wise woman builds her house,(A)
    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,(B)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.(C)

Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
    but from the strength of an ox(D) come abundant harvests.

An honest witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness pours out lies.(E)

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(F)

Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(G)
    but the folly of fools is deception.(H)

Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,(I)
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.(J)

12 There is a way that appears to be right,(K)
    but in the end it leads to death.(L)

Read full chapter