14
The Wise Woman
1 Every wise woman builds her house,
but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
2 He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD,
but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.
3 The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back,
but the lips of the wise protect them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.
5 An honest witness does not deceive,
but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.
6 A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
7 Stay away from a foolish man;
you will gain no knowledge from his speech.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
but the folly of fools deceives them.
9 Fools mock the making of amends,
but goodwill is found among the upright.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no stranger shares in its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and joy may end in sorrow.
14 The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways,
but a good man is rewarded for his ways.
15 The simple man believes every word,
but the prudent man watches his steps.
16 A wise man fears * 14:16 Or fears the LORD and turns from evil,
but a fool is careless and reckless.
17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
and a devious man 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 man is hated even by his neighbor,
but many are those who love the rich.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins,
but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.
22 Do not those who contrive evil go astray?
But those who plan goodness find † 14:22 Or show loving devotion and faithfulness.
23 There is profit in all labor,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but the effort of fools is folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but one who utters lies is deceitful.
26 He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence,
and his children shall have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
turning a man from the snares of death.
28 A large population is a king’s splendor,
but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.
29 A patient man has great understanding,
but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.
30 A tranquil heart is life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.
31 Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.
32 The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin,
but the righteous man has a refuge even in death.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning;
even among fools she is known.‡ 14:33 Hebrew; LXX and Syriac but among fools she is not known
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 A king delights in a wise servant,
but his anger falls on the shameful.