Proverbs 14:1–35

¹ Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. ² He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him. ³ The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. ⁴ Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox. ⁵ An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies. ⁶ A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. ⁷ Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. ⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them. ⁹ Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright. ¹⁰ The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy. ¹¹ The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. ¹² There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. ¹³ Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow. ¹⁴ The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways. ¹⁵ The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps. ¹⁶ A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless. ¹⁷ A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated. ¹⁸ The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. ¹⁹ The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. ²⁰ The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich. ²¹ He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor. ²² Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness. ²³ There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty. ²⁴ The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly. ²⁵ A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful. ²⁶ He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge. ²⁷ The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. ²⁸ A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin. ²⁹ A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly. ³⁰ A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones. ³¹ Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him. ³² The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death. ³³ Wisdom rests i…