14 Every wise woman makes her home strong.
But a foolish woman destroys her home with her own hands.
2 An honest person respects and obeys the Lord .
But anyone who deceives other people shows that he does not respect the Lord .
3 When fools boast, they bring punishment on themselves.
But the words of wise people keep them safe.
4 When a farmer has no oxen to plough his fields,
he does not have to feed them.
But he needs strong oxen to grow plenty of crops.
5 A faithful person will not tell lies in court.
But someone who says false things, always deceives.
6 If you only pretend that you want wisdom, you will not find it.
But if you are careful, you will easily understand what is right.
7 Stay away from foolish people.
They will stop you from learning anything that is wise.
8 A careful person understands what is right and he does it.
But a foolish person's silly thoughts deceive him.
9 Fools think that they do not need to do anything about their sins.
But God is pleased with people who do what is right.
10 When you are upset, you yourself know how sad you are.
No one else can know what you are feeling, sad or happy.
11 A wicked person's home will come to an end.
But the home of a good person will continue to be strong.
12 You may think that you are on a good, straight road.
But in the end, that road may lead you to death.
13 Somebody may be upset, even when he is laughing.
After his joy has gone, he will still be sad.
14 If someone turns away from what is right,
he will receive the punishment that he deserves.
But good people will receive the good things that they deserve.
15 A silly person will believe anything.
But a careful person will think before he does anything.
16 A wise person is careful to keep away from trouble.
But a fool is careless and he thinks that he is always right.
17 A person who quickly becomes angry does silly things.
And people hate anyone with cruel ideas.
18 Silly people do foolish things, and they receive what they deserve.
But wise people receive honour for their knowledge.
19 Evil people will respect good people.
Wicked people will ask righteous people to be kind to them.
20 Even the neighbours of poor people do not like them.
But rich people have many friends.
21 It is a sin if you do not respect your neighbour.
But if you are kind to helpless people, God will bless you.
22 People who want to do evil things have lost their way.
But those who want to do good things show faithful love.
23 If you work hard, something good will come.
But if you only talk about it, you will become poor.
24 For wise people, their riches are like a crown of honour.
But fools only work to get foolish things.
25 Someone who speaks the truth in court may save a life.
But someone who always tells lies deceives everyone.
26 Someone who respects and obeys the Lord knows that he will be safe.
His family also will be in a safe place.
27 If you respect and obey the Lord ,
that is like a spring of water that gives you life.
It will keep you safe from death's traps.
28 A king who rules many people will receive great honour.
But a ruler with only a few people will have nothing in the end.
29 A patient man shows that he understands what is right.
But someone who quickly becomes angry shows that he is foolish.
30 If you have peace in your mind, your body will be healthy.
But if you are jealous, it will eat away your body.
31 If you are cruel to poor people,
you are insulting God who created them.
But if you are kind to helpless people,
it shows that you respect God.
32 When wicked people are in trouble, they cannot stand.
But righteous people still trust God,
even when they are in danger of death.
33 People who understand what is right have true wisdom.
Even fools may sometimes show wisdom. [ a ]
34 A nation will receive honour when its people do what is right.
But sin will bring shame on its people.
35 A king will be pleased with a wise servant.
But he will be angry with any servant who brings shame.
14 A wise woman makes her home what it should be, but the home of a foolish woman is destroyed by her own actions. [ a ]
2 Those who live right respect the Lord , but dishonest people hate him.
3 Foolish words cause you trouble; wise words protect you.
4 A barn with no cattle might be clean, but strong bulls are needed for a good harvest.
5 A good witness is one who does not lie. A bad witness is a liar who cannot be trusted.
6 Anyone who makes fun of wisdom will never find it, but knowledge comes easily to those who understand its value.
7 Stay away from fools, there is nothing they can teach you.
8 Wisdom lets smart people know what they are doing, but stupid people only think they know.
9 Fines are needed to make fools obey the law, but good people are happy to obey it.
10 When you are sad, no one else feels the pain; and when you are happy, no one else can really feel the joy.
11 An evil person’s house will be destroyed, but a good person’s family will do well.
12 There is a way that people think is right, but it leads only to death.
13 Laughter might hide your sadness. But when the laughter is gone, the sadness remains.
14 Evil people will be paid back for the wrong they do, and good people will be rewarded for the good they do.
15 Fools believe every word they hear, but wise people think carefully about everything.
16 Wise people are careful and avoid trouble; fools are too confident and careless.
17 A quick-tempered person does stupid things, but it is also true that people don’t like anyone who quietly plans evil.
18 Fools are rewarded with more foolishness. Smart people are rewarded with knowledge.
19 Good people will defeat those who are evil, and the wicked will be forced to show respect to those who live right.
20 The poor have no friends, not even their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.
21 It is wrong to say bad things about your neighbors. Be kind to the poor, and you will be blessed.
22 Whoever works to do good will find love and loyalty. It is a mistake to work at doing evil.
23 If you work hard, you will have plenty. If you do nothing but talk, you will not have enough.
24 A wise person’s reward is wealth, but a fool’s reward is foolishness.
25 A witness who tells the truth saves lives, but one who tells lies hurts others.
26 People who respect the Lord will be safe, and they will make their children feel secure.
27 Respect for the Lord gives true life and will save you from death’s trap.
28 Kings of large nations have great honor. Rulers without a country have nothing.
29 A patient person is very smart. A quick-tempered person makes stupid mistakes.
30 Peace of mind makes the body healthy, but jealousy is like a cancer.
31 Whoever takes advantage of the poor insults their Maker, but whoever is kind to them honors him.
32 The wicked will be defeated by their evil, but good people are protected by their honesty. [ b ]
33 A wise person is always thinking wise thoughts, but a fool knows nothing about wisdom.
34 Goodness makes a nation great, but sin is a shame to any people.
35 Kings are pleased with intelligent officials, but they will punish shameful ones.
14 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord : but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
14 The ( A ) wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.
2 One who ( B ) walks in his uprightness fears the Lord ,
But one who is ( C ) devious in his ways despises Him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back,
But ( D ) the lips of the wise will protect them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean;
But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.
5 A ( E ) trustworthy witness will not lie,
But a ( F ) false witness ( G ) declares lies.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none,
But knowledge is easy for one who has understanding.
7 Leave the ( H ) presence of a fool,
Or you will not [ a ] discern [ b ] words of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,
But ( I ) the foolishness of fools is deceit.
9 Fools mock at [ c ] sin,
But ( J ) among the upright there is [ d ] goodwill.
10 The heart knows its own ( K ) bitterness,
And a stranger does not share its joy.
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 person,
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 One with a wayward heart will have his ( P ) fill of his own ways,
But a good person will ( Q ) be satisfied [ e ] with his.
15 The naive believes everything,
But the sensible person considers his steps.
16 A wise person [ f ] is cautious and ( R ) turns away from evil,
But a fool is arrogant and careless.
17 A quick-tempered person acts foolishly,
And a person of evil devices is hated.
18 The naive inherit foolishness,
But the sensible are 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 One who ( U ) despises his neighbor sins,
But ( V ) one who is gracious to the [ g ] poor is blessed.
22 Will they who ( W ) devise evil not go astray?
But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.
23 In all labor there is profit,
But [ h ] mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The ( X ) crown of the wise is their riches,
But the foolishness of fools is simply foolishness.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
But one who ( Y ) declares lies is [ i ] deceitful.
26 In [ j ] ( Z ) the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And [ k ] his children will have refuge.
27 [ l ] The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
By which one may avoid the snares of death.
28 In a multitude of people is a king’s glory,
But in the scarcity of people is a prince’s ruin.
29 One who is ( AA ) slow to anger has great understanding;
But one who is [ m ] quick-tempered exalts foolishness.
30 A ( AB ) tranquil heart is life to the body,
But jealousy is ( AC ) rottenness to the bones.
31 One ( AD ) who oppresses the poor taunts ( AE ) his Maker,
But one who is gracious to the needy honors Him.
32 The wicked is ( AF ) thrust down by his own wrongdoing,
But the ( AG ) righteous has a refuge when he dies.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding,
But among fools it is 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 wisely,
But his anger is toward him who acts shamefully.
14 The wise woman builds her house, ( A )
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2 Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
but those who despise him are devious in their ways.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but from the strength of an ox ( D ) come abundant harvests.
5 An honest witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies. ( E )
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. ( F )
7 Stay away from a fool,
for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, ( G )
but the folly of fools is deception. ( H )
9 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 )
13 Even in laughter ( M ) the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.
15 The simple believe anything,
but the prudent give thought to their steps. ( P )
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 )
