14
1 Wise women build houses:
But a foolish one digs hers down with her hands.
2 He that walks uprightly fears the Lord;
But he that is perverse in his ways shall be dishonored.
3 Out of the mouth of fools comes a rod of pride;
But the lips of the wise preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the cribs are clean;
But where there is abundant produce, the strength of the ox is apparent.
5 A faithful witness does not lie;
But an unjust witness kindles falsehoods.
6 Thou shalt seek wisdom with bad men, and shalt not find it;
But discretion is easily available with the prudent.
7 All things are adverse to a foolish man;
But wise lips are the weapons of discretion.
8 The wisdom of the prudent will understand their ways;
But the folly of fools leads astray.
9 The houses of transgressors will need purification;
But the houses of the just are acceptable.
10 If a man’s mind is intelligent, his soul is sorrowful;
And when he rejoices, he has no fellowship with pride.
11 The houses of ungodly men shall be utterly destroyed;
But the tabernacles of them that walk uprightly shall stand.
12 There is a way which seems to be right with men,
But the ends of it reach to the depth of hell.
13 Grief mingles not with mirth;
And joy in the end comes to grief.
14 A stouthearted man shall be filled with his own ways;
And a good man with his own thoughts.
15 The simple believes every word:
But the prudent man betakes himself to afterthought.
16 A wise man fears, and departs from evil;
But the fool trusts in himself, and joins himself with the transgressor.
17 A passionate man acts inconsiderately;
But a sensible man bears up under many things.
18 Fools shall have mischief for their portion;
But the prudent shall take fast hold of understanding.
19 Evil men shall fall before the good;
And the ungodly shall attend at the gates of the righteous.
20 Friends will hate poor friends;
But the friends of the rich are many.
21 He that dishonors the needy sins:
But he that has pity on the poor is most blessed.
22 They that go astray devise evils:
But the good devise mercy and truth.
The framers of evil do not understand mercy and truth:
But compassion and faithfulness are with the framers of good.
23 With everyone who is careful there is abundance:
But the pleasure taking and indolent shall be in want.
24 A prudent man is the crown of the wise:
But the occupation of fools is evil.
25 A faithful witness shall deliver a soul from evil:
But a deceitful man kindles falsehoods.
26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence:
And he leaves his children a support.
27 The commandment of the Lord is a fountain of life;
And it causes men to turn aside from the snare of death.
28 In a populous nation is the glory of a king:
But in the failure of people is the ruin of a prince.
29 A man slow to wrath abounds in wisdom:
But a man of impatient spirit is very foolish.
30 A meek-spirited man is a healer of the heart:
But a sensitive heart is a corruption of the bones.
31 He that oppresses the needy provokes his Maker:
But he that honors him has pity upon the poor.
32 The ungodly shall be driven away in his wickedness:
But he who is secure in his own holiness is just.
33 There is wisdom in the good heart of a man:
But in the heart of fools it is not discerned.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation:
But sins diminish tribes.
35 An understanding servant is acceptable to a king;
And by his good behavior he removes disgrace.