Chapter 14

Every wise woman buildeth¹ her house: but the foolish plucketh it down⁴ with her hands.

He that walketh⁶ in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but [he that is] perverse¹² in his ways despiseth⁶ him.

In the mouth of the foolish [is] a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve⁴ them.

Where no oxen [are], the crib [is] clean: but much increase [is] by the strength of the ox.

A faithful witness will not lie:¹⁷ but a false witness will utter⁵⁵ lies.

A scorner⁵ seeketh¹⁴ wisdom, and [findeth it] not: but knowledge [is] easy⁸ unto him that understandeth.¹²

Go³ from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest¹ not [in him] the lips of knowledge.

The wisdom of the prudent [is] to understand⁵³ his way: but the folly of fools [is] deceit.

Fools make a mock⁵⁵ at sin: but among the righteous [there is] favour.

The heart knoweth⁶ his own bitterness; and a stranger⁵ doth not intermeddle¹⁰¹ with his joy.

The house of the wicked shall be overthrown:¹¹ but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.⁵⁵

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful;⁴ and the end of that mirth [is] heaviness.

The backslider⁷ in heart shall be filled⁴ with his own ways: and a good man [shall be satisfied] from himself.

The simple believeth⁵⁵ every word: but the prudent [man] looketh well⁴ to his going.

A wise [man] feareth, and departeth⁶ from evil: but the fool rageth,¹⁰² and is confident.⁶

[He that is] soon angry dealeth⁴ foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.¹¹

The simple inherit¹ folly: but the prudent are crowned⁵⁵ with knowledge.

The evil bow¹ before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

The poor⁶ is hated¹¹ even of his own neighbour: but the rich [hath] many friends.⁶

He that despiseth⁶ his neighbour sinneth:⁶ but he that hath mercy²⁶ on the poor, ⁶⁰⁴¹ happy [is] he.

Do they not err⁴ that devise⁶ evil? but mercy and truth [shall be] to them that devise⁶ good.

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to penury.

The crown of the wise [is] their riches: [but] the foolishness of fools [is] folly.

A true witness delivereth⁵⁶ souls: but a deceitful [witness] speaketh⁵⁵ lies.

In the fear of the LORD [is] strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

The fear of the LORD [is] a fountain of life, to depart² from the snares of death.

In the multitude of people [is] the king's honour: but in the want of people [is] the destruction of the prince.

[He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great understanding: but [he that is] hasty of spirit exalteth⁵⁶ folly.

A sound heart [is] the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

He that oppresseth⁶ the poor reproacheth¹⁴ his Maker:⁶ but he that honoureth¹⁸ him hath mercy⁶ on the poor.

The wicked is driven away¹¹ in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope⁶ in his death.

Wisdom resteth⁴ in the heart of him that hath understanding:¹² but [that which is] in the midst of fools is made known.¹¹

Righteousness exalteth³⁴ a nation: but sin [is] a reproach to any people.

The king's favour [is] toward a wise⁵⁶ servant: but his wrath is [against] him that causeth shame.⁵⁶