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The Holy Bible

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The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 14

  

The Proverbs of Solomon

1THE wise woman builds her house,

but a foolish one tears it down with her hands.

2 He who walks uprightly fears the Lord,
but he who is devious in his ways despises Him.

3 The talk of a fool brings a rod for his back,
but the lips of the wise protect them.

4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.

5 A truthful witness will not lie,
but a dishonest witness utters lies.

6 A mocker seeks wisdom and does not find it,
but knowledge comes easy to the discerning.

7 Stay away from a foolish man,
for you will not find knowledge on his lips.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to consider his ways,
but the folly of fools misleads.

9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but there is goodwill among the righteous.

10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no outsider can share its joy,

11 The house of the wicked will be overthrown,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.

13 Even in laughter the heart may be sad,
sorrow, and the end of joy may be grief.

14 The faithless get back what their deeds deserve,
but a good man will be satisfied with his.

15 The simple will believe anything,
but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.

16 A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil,
but the fool is easily angered and careless.

17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
and a man of crooked schemes is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow down in the presence of the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbours,
but the rich have many friends.

21 He who despises his neighbour sins,
but he who is kind to the poor will be happy.

22 Do not those who devise evil go astray?
But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.

23 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk only leads to poverty.

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

25 A truthful witness rescues lives,
but one who utter lies is a deceiver.

26 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
and his children have a place of refuge.

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

28 A large population is a king’s glory,
but a lack of people is a prince’s ruin.

29 A person who is slow to anger has great understanding,
but one who is quick-tempered promotes folly.

30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.

31 He who oppresses the poor insults his Maker,
but one who are kind to the needy honour Him.

32 The wicked are thrown down by their evildoing,
but the righteous have a refuge when they die.

33 Wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning;
she even makes herself known in the hearts of fools.

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin a disgrace to any people.

35 The king’s favour is with a wise servant,
but his anger falls on a shameful one.