Proverbs 14
1Every wise woman builds her house, 2 but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands. 1
2He who walks in his uprightness fears Adonai, 2 but he who is perverse in his ways despises him. 1
3The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, 2 but the lips of the wise protect them. 1
4Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, 2 but much increase is by the strength of the ox. 1
5A truthful witness will not lie, 2 but a false witness pours out lies. 1
6A scoffer seeks wisdom, and does not find it, 2 but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person. 1
7Stay away from a foolish man, 2 for you won’t find knowledge on his lips. 1
8The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, 2 but the folly of fools is deceit. 1
9Fools mock at making atonement for faults incurring guilt, 2 but among the upright there is good will. 1
10The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; 2 he will not share these with a stranger. 1
11The house of the wicked will be overthrown, 2 but the tent of the upright will flourish. 1
12There is a way which seems right to a man, 2 but in the end it leads to death. 1
13Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, 2 and mirth may end in heaviness. 1
14The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; 2 likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways. 1
15A simple man trusts everything, 2 but the prudent man carefully considers his ways. 1
16A wise man fears, and shuns evil, 2 but the fool is hot headed and reckless. 1
17He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, 2 and a crafty man is hated. 1
18The simple inherit folly, 2 but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 1
19The evil bow down before the good, 2 and the wicked at the gates of the upright. 1
20The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, 2 but the rich person has many 'ahav ·affectionate lovers, friends·. 1
21He who despises his neighbor sins ·errs (the standard goal)·, 2 but blessed is he who has mercy on the poor. 1
22Don’t they go astray who plot evil? 2 But chesed ·loving-kindness· and faithfulness belong to those who plan good. 1
23In all hard work there is profit, 2 but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty. 1
24The crown of the wise is their riches, 2 but the folly of fools crowns them with folly. 1
25A truthful witness saves souls, 2 but a false witness is deceitful. 1
26In the fear of Adonai is a secure fortress, 2 and he will be a refuge for his children. 1
27The fear of Adonai is a fountain of life, 2 turning people from the snares of death. 1
28In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, 2 but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince. 1
29He who is slow to anger has great understanding, 2 but he who has a quick temper displays folly. 1
30The life of the body is a heart at peace, 2 but envy rots the bones. 1
31He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, 2 but he who honors him shows mercy to the needy. 1
32The wicked is brought down in his calamity, 2 but in death, the upright has a refuge. 1
33Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, 2 and is even made known in the inward part of fools. 1
34Righteousness exalts a nation, 2 but habitual sin ·missing the mark· is a chesed ·disgrace· to any people. 1
35The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, 2 but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.