Proverbs 14: The Wise Woman

Proverbs 14

¹ Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

² He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.

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

⁴ Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

⁵ A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies.

⁶ A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.

⁷ Stay away from a foolish man, for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.

⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.

⁹ Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but among the upright there is good will.

¹⁰ The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger.

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

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

¹³ Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, and mirth may end in heaviness.

¹⁴ The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.

¹⁵ A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.

¹⁶ A wise man fears and shuns evil, but the fool is hot headed and reckless.

¹⁷ He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated.

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

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

²⁰ The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, but the rich person has many friends.

²¹ He who despises his neighbor sins, but he who has pity on the poor is blessed.

²² Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.

²³ In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.

²⁴ The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.

²⁵ A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful.

²⁶ In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.

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

²⁸ In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.

²⁹ He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.

³⁰ The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones.

³¹ He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.

³² The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge.

³³ Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools.

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

³⁵ The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.