Proverbs 14

1 Every wise woman builds up her household, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.ISV — Proverbs 14:1

2 Someone whose conduct is upright fears the LORD, but whoever is devious in his ways despises him.ISV — Proverbs 14:2

3 What a fool says brings ^{a14:3 Lit. The mouth of the fool} a rod to his back, but the words of the wise protect them.ISV — Proverbs 14:3

4 Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is clean, but profits come through the strength of the ox.ISV — Proverbs 14:4

5 A trustworthy witness does not deceive, but a false witness spews lies.ISV — Proverbs 14:5

6 A mocker seeks wisdom and finds ^{b14:6 The Heb. lacks finds} none, but learning comes easily to someone who understands.ISV — Proverbs 14:6

7 Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find competent advice.ISV — Proverbs 14:7

8 The wisdom of the prudent helps him know how to live, but a fool’s stupidity deceives him.ISV — Proverbs 14:8

9 Fools make fun of guilt, but among the upright there are good intentions.ISV — Proverbs 14:9

10 The heart knows its own bitterness— an outsider cannot share in its joy.ISV — Proverbs 14:10

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.ISV — Proverbs 14:11

12 There is a pathway that seems right to a man, but in the end it’s a road to death.ISV — Proverbs 14:12

13 Even in laughter there may be heartache, and at the end of joy there may be grief.ISV — Proverbs 14:13

14 The faithless one will pay for his behavior, ^{c14:14 Lit. ways} but a good man will be rewarded ^{d14:14 The Heb. lacks will be rewarded} for his.ISV — Proverbs 14:14

15 An unthinking person believes everything, but the prudent one thinks before acting. ^{e14:15 Lit. one considers his steps}ISV — Proverbs 14:15

16 The wise person fears and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and overconfident.ISV — Proverbs 14:16

17 A quick tempered person does foolish things, and a devious man is hated.ISV — Proverbs 14:17

18 The naïve inherit folly, but the careful are crowned with knowledge.ISV — Proverbs 14:18

19 Evil men will bow down in the presence of good men and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.ISV — Proverbs 14:19

20 The poor person is shunned by his neighbor, but many are the friends of the wealthy.ISV — Proverbs 14:20

21 Whoever despises his neighbor sins, but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.ISV — Proverbs 14:21

22 Won’t those who plot evil go astray? But gracious love and truth are for those who plan what is good.ISV — Proverbs 14:22

23 In hard work there is always profit, but too much chattering ^{f14:23 Lit. word of lips} leads to poverty.ISV — Proverbs 14:23

24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the stupidity of fools is just that—stupidity!ISV — Proverbs 14:24

25 A truthful witness saves lives, but the person who lies is deceitful.ISV — Proverbs 14:25

26 Rock-solid security is found ^{g14:26 The Heb. lacks is found} in the fear of the LORD, and within it one’s children find refuge.ISV — Proverbs 14:26

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, enabling anyone to escape the snares of death.ISV — Proverbs 14:27

28 A large population is a king’s glory, but a shortage of people is a ruler’s ruin.ISV — Proverbs 14:28

29 Being slow to get angry compares to great understanding as being quick-tempered compares to stupidity.ISV — Proverbs 14:29

30 A tranquil mind brings life to one’s body, but jealousy causes one’s bones to rot.ISV — Proverbs 14:30

31 Whoever oppresses the poor defies their Creator, but whoever is kind to the needy honors them.ISV — Proverbs 14:31

32 The wicked person is thrown down by his own wrongdoing, but the righteous person has a place of safety in death. ^{h14:32 So MT DSS 4QProv; LXX reads in his own piety}ISV — Proverbs 14:32

33 Wisdom is at rest in the mind of the discerning— even fools know this. ^{i14:33 So MT; LXX reads but in the heart of fools it is not discerned}ISV — Proverbs 14:33

34 Righteousness makes a nation great, but sin diminishes ^{j14:34 So DSS 4QPro LXX; MT reads sin is a disgrace to} any people.ISV — Proverbs 14:34

35 The king approves the wise servant, but he is angry at anyone who acts shamefully.ISV — Proverbs 14:35