The chapter begins with the wise woman building her house while the foolish tears hers down with her own hands. A person's walk reveals whether he fears the LORD or despises him. The fool's mouth produces arrogant punishment, while the lips of the wise protect them. Where there are no oxen the manger is empty, but abundant crops come by the strength of an ox. A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.
Proverbs 14:1
1 Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
Proverbs 14:2
2 He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.
Proverbs 14:3
3 The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
Proverbs 14:4
4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Proverbs 14:5
5 A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies.
The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. The learner is told to stay away from a fool because his lips lack knowledge. The prudent understand their way, while fools are deceived by folly. Fools mock making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. The heart knows its own bitterness and no stranger shares its joy. The house of the wicked is destroyed, but the tent of the upright flourishes. A way may appear right to a person, but in the end it leads to death.
Proverbs 14:6
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
Proverbs 14:7
7 Stay away from a foolish man, for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.
Proverbs 14:8
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.
Proverbs 14:9
9 Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but among the upright there is good will.
Proverbs 14:10
10 The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger.
Proverbs 14:11
11 The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief. The faithless are repaid for their ways, and the good are rewarded for theirs. The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps. The wise fear the LORD and shun evil, but fools are hotheaded and still feel secure. A quick-tempered person acts foolishly, and one who schemes evil is hated. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Evildoers bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
13 Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, and mirth may end in heaviness.
Proverbs 14:14
14 The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.
15 A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
16 A wise man fears and shuns evil, but the fool is hot headed and reckless.
17 He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated.
Proverbs 14:18
18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Proverbs 14:19
19 The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
The poor are shunned even by neighbors, while the rich have many friends. It is sin to despise one's neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. Those who plot evil go astray, while those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. All hard work brings profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly. A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.
Proverbs 14:20
20 The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, but the rich person has many friends.
Proverbs 14:21
21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but he who has pity on the poor is blessed.
Proverbs 14:22
22 Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.
23 In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 14:24
24 The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.
Proverbs 14:25
25 A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful.
The fear of the LORD provides secure confidence and refuge for one's children. It is a fountain of life that turns a person from the snares of death. A large population is a king's glory, but without subjects a ruler is ruined. Patience shows great understanding, while quick temper displays folly. A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, while kindness to the needy honors God. The wicked are brought down by calamity, but the righteous have refuge even in death. Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning, though among fools it is made known or exposed. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury.
Proverbs 14:26
26 In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.
Proverbs 14:27
27 The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death.
Proverbs 14:28
28 In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.
Proverbs 14:29
29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
Proverbs 14:30
30 The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones.
Proverbs 14:31
31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
Proverbs 14:32
32 The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge.
Proverbs 14:33
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools.
Proverbs 14:34
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Proverbs 14:35
35 The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.