Proverbs 14

1WISE women have built houses; but the foolish hath pulled them down with her hands.

2He who walketh uprightly feareth the Lord; but he who is perverse in His ways shall be dishonoured.

3From the mouth of fools there is a rod of pride; but the lips of the wise preserve them.

4Where there are no cattle the stalls are clean; but where there is much provender, the ox’s strength is manifest.

5A faithful witness doth not lie; but a false witness kindleth lies.

6Thou mayest seek wisdom among the wicked, but shalt not find it; but knowledge is easily found among the prudent.

7All things are contrary to a foolish man: but wise lips are the arms of knowledge.

8The wisdom of the prudent will give them a knowledge of their ways; but the folly of fools is in error.

9The houses of transgressors need purifying; but the houses of the righteous are acceptable.

10The heart of a man of perception—his soul feeleth distress; his gladness mingleth not with pride.

11The houses of the wicked shall vanish; but the tents of the upright shall stand.

12There is a way which seemeth right to a man; but the end of it is at the bottom of Hades.

13Grief mixeth not with pleasures; but extreme joy tendeth to sorrow.

14A bold-hearted man will be satisfied with his own ways; but a good man, with his intentions.

15A man without guile, believeth every thing: but a prudent man cometh for a change of mind.

16A wise man, when terrified, declineth from evil: but the fool, confident in himself, mixeth with transgressors.

17A passionate man acteth without counsel; but a prudent man beareth many things.

18Fools partake of wickedness; but the prudent will lay hold of knowledge.

19Let the bad fall before the good; and the wicked attend at the gates of the righteous!

20Friends will hate poor friends; but the friends of the rich are many.

21He who despiseth the poor, sinneth: but he who compassionateth the poor is blessed.

22They who are led astray devise mischief; but the good devise mercy and truth.
The contrivers of mischief know neither mercy nor truth; but acts of kindness and truth are with them who contrive good.

23With all who are careful there is abundance; but he who is pleasure-seeking and indolent shall be in want.

24A prudent man is a crown to the wise; but the conversation of fools is evil.

25A true witness will deliver a soul from evils; but a deceitful witness kindleth lies.

26In the fear of the Lord a man hath hope of strength; and to his children he leaveth support.

27The commandment of the Lord is a fountain of life; and it causeth to decline from the snare of death.

28In the multitude of a nation is the glory of a king; but in the failure of a people is the destruction of a prince.

29A man slow to wrath is of great understanding; but a passionate man is egregiously foolish.

30A meek-minded man is a physician of the heart; but a heart of sensibility is a corroder of the bones.

31He who oppresseth the poor, provoketh his Maker; but he who honoureth Him, compassionateth the distressed.

32A wicked man shall be driven away by his wickedness; but in his sanctity the righteous is secure.

33In the good heart of a man there is wisdom; but in the heart of fools it is not discernable.

34Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sins diminish tribes.

35A wise minister is acceptable to a king: but by his own good conduct he removeth disgrace.