Proverbs 14

Holman Christian Standard Bible

14 Every wise woman builds her house,^(A)
but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.^(B)

² Whoever lives with integrity fears the Lord,^(C)
but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.^(D)

³ The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline,^[a]
but the lips of the wise protect them.^(E)

⁴ Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty,^[b]
but an abundant harvest comes
through the strength of an ox.

⁵ An honest witness does not deceive,
but a dishonest witness utters lies.^(F)

⁶ A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn’t find it,
but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive.

⁷ Stay away from a foolish man;
you will gain no knowledge from his speech.^(G)

⁸ The sensible man’s wisdom is to consider his way,
but the stupidity of fools deceives them.

⁹ Fools mock at making restitution,^[c]
but there is goodwill among the upright.

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

¹¹ The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will stand.^[d](H)

¹² There is a way that seems right to a man,^(I)
but its end is the way to death.^(J)

¹³ Even in laughter a heart may be sad,
and joy may end in grief.^(K)

¹⁴ The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves,
and a good man, what his deeds deserve.^(L)

¹⁵ The inexperienced one believes anything,^(M)
but the sensible one watches^[e] his steps.

¹⁶ A wise man is cautious and turns from evil,^(N)
but a fool is easily angered and is careless.^[f]

¹⁷ A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
and a man who schemes is hated.^(O)

¹⁸ The inexperienced inherit foolishness,
but the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

¹⁹ The evil bow before those who are good,
the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.

²⁰ A poor man is hated even by his neighbor,^(P)
but there are many who love the rich.^(Q)

²¹ The one who despises his neighbor sins,^(R)
but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.^(S)

²² Don’t those who plan evil go astray?^(T)
But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.^(U)

²³ There is profit in all hard work,
but endless talk^[g] leads only to poverty.^(V)

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

²⁵ A truthful witness rescues lives,
but one who utters lies is deceitful.^(W)

²⁶ In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence
and his children have a refuge.^(X)

²⁷ The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning people away from the snares of death.^(Y)

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

²⁹ A patient person shows great understanding,^(Z)
but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.

³⁰ A tranquil heart is life to the body,^(AA)
but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.^(AB)

³¹ The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker,^(AC)
but one who is kind to the needy honors Him.^(AD)

³² The wicked one is thrown down by his own sin,^(AE)
but the righteous one has a refuge in his death.^(AF)

³³ Wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning;^(AG)
she is known^[h] even among fools.

³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.^(AH)

³⁵ A king favors a wise servant,^(AI)
but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.