Proverbs Monthly

¹ Wisdom builds herself a house,
    but Folly tears down hers with her own hands.
² One whose conduct is upright fears the Lord,^[b]
    but one whose paths are crooked despises him.
³ The words of a fool ensure a rod for his back,^[c]
    but the lips of the wise keep them safe.
⁴ Where there are no oxen, the barn is empty of grain,
    but abundant crops come through the strength of the ox.
⁵ A truthful witness does not lie,
    but a false witness lies incessantly.^[d]
6 In vain does a scoffer^[e] seek wisdom,
    but knowledge comes easily to the man of discernment.
⁷ Do not remain in the presence of a fool,
    for you will not gain any wisdom there.
⁸ The prudent possess the wisdom to follow the right way,
    but the folly of fools misleads them.
⁹ Fools see no need to atone for guilt,
    but the upright do so and enjoy God’s favor.
¹⁰ The heart knows its own grief best,
    and no one else can share its joy.
¹¹ The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
    but the tent of the upright will stand firm.
¹² There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but the end of it leads to death.
¹³ Even at times of laughter the heart may be sad,
    and joy may end in grief.
¹⁴ The perverse man suffers the consequences of his ways,
    while a good man reaps what his deeds deserve.
¹⁵ A simple man believes everything he hears,
    but a prudent man carefully considers every step.
¹⁶ A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil,
    but the fool is reckless and shows no restraint.
¹⁷ A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
    but a prudent man is long-suffering.
¹⁸ The simple are adorned with folly,
    but the prudent have knowledge as their crown.
¹⁹ Evil men will bow down before the good,
    and the wicked will do so at the gates of the righteous.
²⁰ The poor man is disliked even by his neighbor,
    but one who is wealthy never lacks for friends.
²¹ Anyone who despises his neighbor is a sinner,^[f]
    but blessed is he who is kind to the poor.
²² Do not those who hatch evil go astray?
    But those who plan good are loyal and faithful.
²³ Diligent labor always yields profit,
    but idle conversation only leads to poverty.
²⁴ The crown of the wise is their riches;
    the garland of fools is their folly.
²⁵ A truthful witness saves lives;
    anyone who utters lies is an impostor.
²⁶ He who fears the Lord^[g] provides strong security,
    and in him one’s children will find a refuge.
²⁷ The fear of the Lord^[h] is a fountain of life
    enabling a man to avoid the snares of death.
²⁸ Many subjects ensure the glory of a king,
    but if his subjects are few, he is of no importance.
²⁹ A patient man shows good sense,
    but a quick-tempered man displays the height of folly.
³⁰ A tranquil heart gives life to the body,
    but envy causes the bones to rot.
³¹ He who oppresses the poor insults their Creator,
    but the one who is kind to the needy^[i] does him honor.
³² The evildoer is undone by his malice,
    but the upright finds refuge in his integrity.
³³ Wisdom finds a home in an understanding heart,^[j]
    but she is not found in the heart of fools.
³⁴ Righteousness is a sign of a nation’s greatness,
    but sin degrades any people.
³⁵ A king favors a prudent servant
    but is angry with a shameful servant.