Proverbs 14-15

Holman Christian Standard Bible

14 Every wise woman builds her house,^(A)
but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.^(B)

² Whoever lives with integrity fears the Lord,^(C)
but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.^(D)

³ The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline,^[a]
but the lips of the wise protect them.^(E)

⁴ Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty,^[b]
but an abundant harvest comes
through the strength of an ox.

⁵ An honest witness does not deceive,
but a dishonest witness utters lies.^(F)

⁶ A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn’t find it,
but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive.

⁷ Stay away from a foolish man;
you will gain no knowledge from his speech.^(G)

⁸ The sensible man’s wisdom is to consider his way,
but the stupidity of fools deceives them.

⁹ Fools mock at making restitution,^[c]
but there is goodwill among the upright.

¹⁰ The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no outsider shares in its joy.

¹¹ The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will stand.^[d](H)

¹² There is a way that seems right to a man,^(I)
but its end is the way to death.^(J)

¹³ Even in laughter a heart may be sad,
and joy may end in grief.^(K)

¹⁴ The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves,
and a good man, what his deeds deserve.^(L)

¹⁵ The inexperienced one believes anything,^(M)
but the sensible one watches^[e] his steps.

¹⁶ A wise man is cautious and turns from evil,^(N)
but a fool is easily angered and is careless.^[f]

¹⁷ A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
and a man who schemes is hated.^(O)

¹⁸ The inexperienced inherit foolishness,
but the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

¹⁹ The evil bow before those who are good,
the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.

²⁰ A poor man is hated even by his neighbor,^(P)
but there are many who love the rich.^(Q)

²¹ The one who despises his neighbor sins,^(R)
but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.^(S)

²² Don’t those who plan evil go astray?^(T)
But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.^(U)

²³ There is profit in all hard work,
but endless talk^[g] leads only to poverty.^(V)

²⁴ The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness.

²⁵ A truthful witness rescues lives,
but one who utters lies is deceitful.^(W)

²⁶ In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence
and his children have a refuge.^(X)

²⁷ The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning people away from the snares of death.^(Y)

²⁸ A large population is a king’s splendor,
but a shortage of people is a ruler’s devastation.

²⁹ A patient person shows great understanding,^(Z)
but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.

³⁰ A tranquil heart is life to the body,^(AA)
but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.^(AB)

³¹ The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker,^(AC)
but one who is kind to the needy honors Him.^(AD)

³² The wicked one is thrown down by his own sin,^(AE)
but the righteous one has a refuge in his death.^(AF)

³³ Wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning;^(AG)
she is known^[h] even among fools.

³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.^(AH)

³⁵ A king favors a wise servant,^(AI)
but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.

15 A gentle answer turns away anger,^(AJ)
but a harsh word stirs up wrath.^(AK)

² The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive,
but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.^(AL)

³ The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
observing the wicked and the good.^(AM)

⁴ The tongue that heals is a tree of life,^(AN)
but a devious tongue^[i] breaks the spirit.

⁵ A fool despises his father’s discipline,
but a person who accepts correction is sensible.^(AO)

⁶ The house of the righteous has great wealth,
but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked.

⁷ The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge,
but not so the heart of fools.

⁸ The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,^(AP)
but the prayer of the upright is His delight.^(AQ)

⁹ The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but He loves the one who pursues righteousness.^(AR)

¹⁰ Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.

¹¹ Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord^(AS)—
how much more, human hearts.^(AT)

¹² A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him;^(AU)
he will not consult the wise.

¹³ A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,
but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.^(AV)

¹⁴ A discerning mind seeks knowledge,^(AW)
but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.^(AX)

¹⁵ All the days of the oppressed are miserable,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

¹⁶ Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure with turmoil.^(AY)

¹⁷ Better a meal of vegetables where there is love
than a fattened ox^(AZ) with hatred.^(BA)

¹⁸ A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict,^(BB)
but a man slow to anger^(BC) calms strife.

¹⁹ A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge,
but the path of the upright is a highway.^(BD)

²⁰ A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.^(BE)

²¹ Foolishness brings joy to one without sense,
but a man with understanding walks a straight path.^(BF)

²² Plans fail when there is no counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.^(BG)

²³ A man takes joy in giving an answer;^[j]
and a timely word—how good that is!^(BH)

²⁴ For the discerning the path of life leads upward,
so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

²⁵ The Lord destroys the house of the proud,
but He protects the widow’s territory.^(BI)

²⁶ The Lord detests the plans of an evil man,
but pleasant words are pure.^(BJ)

²⁷ The one who profits dishonestly^(BK) troubles his household,
but the one who hates bribes will live.^(BL)

²⁸ The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,^(BM)
but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.^(BN)

²⁹ The Lord is far from the wicked,^(BO)
but He hears the prayer of the righteous.^(BP)

³⁰ Bright eyes cheer the heart;
good news strengthens^[k] the bones.^(BQ)

³¹ One who^[l] listens to life-giving rebukes^(BR)
will be at home among the wise.

³² Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself,^(BS)
but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.^[m](BT)

³³ The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches,
and humility comes before honor.^(BU)