Proverbs 14

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