Proverbs 14

1 Wise women build houses, but a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands.

2 Whoever walks uprightly fears the Lord, but whoever twists his ways will be dishonored.

3 A rod of arrogance comes from the mouth of fools, but the lips of the wise guard them.

4 Where there are no oxen, the feeding troughs are clean, but where produce is abundant, the strength of an ox is evident.

5 A faithful witness does not lie, but an unjust witness kindles falsehoods.

6 You will seek wisdom among evil people and not find it, but perception comes easily among the discerning.

7 Everything opposes a foolish man, but wise lips are weapons of perception.

8 The wisdom of the shrewd recognizes their roads, but the senselessness of fools leads into error.

9 The houses of lawbreakers will need purification, but the houses of the righteous are acceptable.

10 A perceptive man’s heart knows his soul’s sorrow, and when he rejoices, it does not mingle with arrogance.

11 The houses of the ungodly will disappear, but the tents of those who walk uprightly will stand.

12 There is a road that seems right to people, but its end reaches the depths of Hades.

13 Sorrow does not mingle with celebration, and final joy comes to mourning.

14 A boldhearted person will be filled from his own roads, but a good man will be filled from his own thoughts.

15 An innocent person believes every word, but a shrewd person comes to a change of heart.

16 A wise person fears and turns away from evil, but a fool trusts himself and joins with a lawless person.

17 A quick-tempered person acts without counsel, but a discerning man endures many things.

18 Fools receive evil as their share, but the shrewd take firm hold of perception.

19 Evil people will slip before the good, and the ungodly will serve at the doors of the righteous.

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

21 Whoever dishonors people in need sins, but whoever shows mercy to the poor is blessed.

22 Those who wander devise evil, but good people devise mercy and truth. Craftsmen of evil do not know mercy and faithfulness, but acts of mercy and faithfulness are found among craftsmen of good.

23 Abundance belongs to everyone who works carefully, but the pleasure-seeking and unfeeling person will be in need.

24 A shrewd person is the crown of the wise, but the occupation of fools is evil.

25 A faithful witness will rescue a soul from evils, but a deceitful person kindles lies.

26 In the fear of the Lord is hope of strength, and he leaves support for his children.

27 The Lord’s decree is a fountain of life and turns people away from the trap of death.

28 A king’s glory is found in a numerous nation, but a ruler is crushed when people are lacking.

29 A patient man is rich in discernment, but a fainthearted person is extremely foolish.

30 A gentle-tempered man is a physician for the heart, but a perceptive heart is a moth in the bones.

31 Whoever oppresses a needy person provokes his Maker, but whoever honors the Maker shows mercy to the poor.

32 The ungodly will be driven away by his own evil, but whoever trusts in his own holiness is righteous.

33 Wisdom is in a man’s good heart, but it is not recognized in the heart of fools.

34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sins diminish tribes.

35 A servant who understands is acceptable to a king, and by his good conduct he removes dishonor.