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Proverbs 14

The wise woman builds her house; the foolish tears it down. There is a way that appears right but in the end leads to death. Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker.

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Solomonic proverbs

The wise woman builds her house, 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, but the lips of the wise protect them. Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests. An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. 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, but the folly of fools is deception. Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief. The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs. The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps. The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure. A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The poor are shunned even by their neighbours, but the rich have many friends. It is a sin to despise one's neighbour, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly. A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful. Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. A large population is a king's glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined. Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honours God. When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God. Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury.

1

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

King James Version, 1611

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

2

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

King James Version, 1611

He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

3

A fool's mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.

King James Version, 1611

In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

4

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

King James Version, 1611

Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

5

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

King James Version, 1611

A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

6

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

King James Version, 1611

A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

7

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

King James Version, 1611

Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

8

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

King James Version, 1611

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

9

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

King James Version, 1611

Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

10

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

King James Version, 1611

The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

11

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

King James Version, 1611

The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

12

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

King James Version, 1611

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

13

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief.

King James Version, 1611

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

14

The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs.

King James Version, 1611

The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

15

The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.

King James Version, 1611

The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

16

The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

King James Version, 1611

A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

17

A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.

King James Version, 1611

He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

18

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

King James Version, 1611

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

19

Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

King James Version, 1611

The evil bow before 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.

King James Version, 1611

The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

21

It is a sin to despise one's neighbour, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.

King James Version, 1611

He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

22

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.

King James Version, 1611

Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

23

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

King James Version, 1611

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

24

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

King James Version, 1611

The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

25

A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.

King James Version, 1611

A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

26

Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.

King James Version, 1611

In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

27

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.

King James Version, 1611

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

28

A large population is a king's glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.

King James Version, 1611

In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

29

Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

King James Version, 1611

He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

30

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

King James Version, 1611

A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

31

Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honours God.

King James Version, 1611

He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

32

When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.

King James Version, 1611

The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

33

Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.

King James Version, 1611

Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

34

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.

King James Version, 1611

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

35

A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury.

King James Version, 1611

The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.