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14 The [a](A)wise woman builds her house,
But the woman of folly tears it down with her own hands.
He who (B)walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh,
But he who is (C)devious in his ways despises Him.
In the mouth of the ignorant fool is a rod of lofty pride,
But (D)the lips of the wise will keep them.
Where no oxen are, the manger is clean,
But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.
A (E)faithful witness will not lie,
But a (F)false witness (G)breathes out lies.
A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none,
But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding.
Leave the (H)presence of a fool,
As you have not known lips of knowledge there.
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,
But (I)the folly of fools is deceit.
Ignorant fools scoff at guilt,
But (J)among the upright there is favor.
10 The heart knows its own (K)bitterness,
And a stranger does not share its gladness.
11 The (L)house of the wicked will be destroyed,
But the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There (M)is a way which seems right to a man,
But its (N)end is the way of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may be in pain,
And the (O)end of joy may be grief.
14 The one who turns back in his heart will be satisfied with his (P)ways,
But a good man will (Q)be satisfied [b]with his.
15 The simple believes everything,
But the prudent one discerns his steps.
16 A wise man fears and (R)turns away from evil,
But a fool gets angry and feels secure.
17 A quick-tempered man acts in folly,
And a man of evil schemes is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly,
But the prudent are [c]crowned with knowledge.
19 The (S)evil will bow down before the good,
And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The (T)poor is hated even by his neighbor,
But those who love the rich are many.
21 He who (U)despises his neighbor sins,
But how (V)blessed is he who is gracious to the [d]poor.
22 Will they not wander in error who (W)devise evil?
But lovingkindness and truth will be to those who devise good.
23 In all painful labor there is profit,
But mere words from the lips lead only to want.
24 The (X)crown of the wise is their riches,
But the folly of fools is folly.
25 A truthful witness delivers souls,
But he who (Y)breathes out lies is deceitful.
26 In the [e](Z)fear of Yahweh there is strong security,
And [f]his children will have refuge.
27 The [g]fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life,
To turn aside from the snares of death.
28 In a multitude of people is a king’s splendor,
But in the dearth of people is a prince’s ruin.
29 He who is (AA)slow to anger has great discernment,
But he who is [h]quick-tempered raises up folly.
30 A [i](AB)tranquil heart is life to the body,
But jealousy is (AC)rottenness to the bones.
31 He (AD)who oppresses the poor reproaches (AE)his Maker,
But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.
32 The wicked is (AF)thrust down by his own evil,
But the (AG)righteous takes refuge even in his death.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding,
But in the midst of fools it is merely made known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 The king’s favor is toward a (AH)servant who acts insightfully,
But his fury is toward him who acts shamefully.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:1 Lit wise women
  2. Proverbs 14:14 Lit from himself
  3. Proverbs 14:18 Lit surrounded
  4. Proverbs 14:21 Or afflicted
  5. Proverbs 14:26 Or reverence
  6. Proverbs 14:26 Or His
  7. Proverbs 14:27 Or reverence
  8. Proverbs 14:29 Lit short of spirit
  9. Proverbs 14:30 Lit healing

14 A wise woman ·strengthens her family [builds her house],
but a foolish woman ·destroys hers by what she does [tears hers down with her own hands].

People who ·live good lives [walk in virtue/integrity] ·respect [fear] the Lord,
but those who ·live evil lives don’t [L go the wrong way on their paths despise him].

·Fools will be punished for their proud words [The talk of fools is a rod for their back; or In the mouth of fools is a sprig of pride],
but the ·words [L lips] of the wise will protect them.

When there are no oxen, ·no food is in the barn [or the barn is empty].
But with a strong ox, much grain can be grown.

A truthful witness does not lie,
but a false witness tells nothing but lies.

·Those who make fun of wisdom look for it [Mockers seek wisdom] and do not find it,
but knowledge comes ·easily [or quickly] to those with understanding.

Stay away from fools,
because they ·can’t teach you anything [L don’t have knowledgeable lips].

The wisdom of a ·wise [prudent] person will understand ·what to do [L his path],
but the folly of a foolish person is ·dishonest [deceptive].

Fools ·don’t care if they sin [L mock a penalty/guilt/reparation offering; Lev. 5:14—6:7],
but ·honest people work at being right [those with integrity/virtue are favored].

10 ·No one else can know your sadness [L A heart knows its emotional distress],
and strangers cannot share your joy.

11 The wicked person’s house will be ·destroyed [annihilated],
but a good person’s tent will ·still be standing [flourish].

12 ·Some people think they are doing right [L There is a path that seems straight to a person],
but in the end it ·leads [L is the path] to death.

13 ·Someone who is laughing may be sad inside [L Even in laughter the heart may feel pain],
and joy may end in sadness.

14 ·Evil people [L Rebellious hearts] will be paid back for their evil ·ways [paths],
and good people will be rewarded for their ·good ones [deeds].

15 ·Fools [The naive] will believe anything,
but the ·wise [prudent] ·think about what they do [understand their steps].

16 Wise people ·are careful [fear] and stay ·out of trouble [away from evil],
but fools ·are careless [or get mad] and ·quick to act [or feel safe].

17 Someone with a quick temper ·does foolish things [makes stupid mistakes],
but ·someone with understanding remains calm [or schemers are hated].

18 ·Fools [Naive people] ·are rewarded with nothing but more foolishness [L inherit stupidity],
but the wise ·are rewarded with knowledge [L wear knowledge as an ornament].

19 Evil people will bow down to those who are good;
the wicked will bow down at the ·door of those who do right [L gates of the righteous].

20 The poor are ·rejected [hated], even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends [C perhaps an ironic reference to fair-weather friends].

21 It is a sin to ·hate [despise] your neighbor,
but being ·kind [gracious] to the needy brings ·happiness [a blessing].

22 ·Those [L Do not those…?] who make evil plans ·will be ruined [L wander aimlessly],
but those who plan to do good will ·be loved and trusted [receive loyalty and faithfulness].

23 Those who work hard make a profit,
but ·those who only talk will be poor [L the word of the lips leads only to lack].

24 Wise people are ·rewarded [crowned] with wealth,
but fools only get more foolishness.

25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a ·false witness is a traitor [deceptive person proclaims lies].

26 Those who ·respect [fear] the Lord will have ·security [or confidence],
and their children will ·be protected [have a refuge].

27 ·Respect for [Fear of] the Lord ·gives life [L is a fountain of life]
·and can save people from death [L turning people aside from death traps/snares].

28 A king is honored when he has many people to rule,
but a prince is ruined if he has none.

29 ·Patient people have great [Patience leads to] understanding,
but ·people with quick tempers show their foolishness [impatience leads to stupid mistakes].

30 ·Peace of mind [L A healthy mind/heart] means a healthy body,
but jealousy will rot your bones.

31 Whoever ·mistreats [oppresses] the poor insults their Maker,
but whoever ·is kind [shows grace] to the needy honors God.

32 The wicked are ·ruined [thrown down] by their own evil,
but those who ·do right [are righteous] ·are protected [find refuge] even in death.

33 Wisdom lives in ·those with understanding [an understanding heart/mind],
and ·even fools recognize it [or it is not known in the innards of a fool].

34 ·Doing what is right [Righteousness] makes a nation great,
but sin will ·bring disgrace to any [diminish a] people.

35 A king is pleased with a ·wise [insightful] servant,
but he will become angry with one who causes him shame.

14 The wise woman builds her house,(A)
    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,(B)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.(C)

Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
    but from the strength of an ox(D) come abundant harvests.

An honest witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness pours out lies.(E)

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(F)

Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(G)
    but the folly of fools is deception.(H)

Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,(I)
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.(J)

12 There is a way that appears to be right,(K)
    but in the end it leads to death.(L)

13 Even in laughter(M) the heart may ache,
    and rejoicing may end in grief.

14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,(N)
    and the good rewarded for theirs.(O)

15 The simple believe anything,
    but the prudent give thought to their steps.(P)

16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,(Q)
    but a fool(R) is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

17 A quick-tempered person(S) does foolish things,(T)
    and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.(U)

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

19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
    and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(V)

20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
    but the rich have many friends.(W)

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,(X)
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.(Y)

22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?(Z)
    But those who plan what is good find[a] love and faithfulness.

23 All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
    but the folly of fools yields folly.(AA)

25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but a false witness is deceitful.(AB)

26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(AC)
    and for their children it will be a refuge.(AD)

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,(AE)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(AF)

28 A large population is a king’s glory,
    but without subjects a prince is ruined.(AG)

29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(AH)
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(AI)

30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.(AJ)

31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(AK)
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(AL)

32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(AM)
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(AN)

33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(AO)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.[b]

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(AP)
    but sin condemns any people.

35 A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(AQ)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:22 Or show
  2. Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known