The Book of Proverbs

Chapter 14

1. ¶ Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. 2. ¶ He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him. 3. ¶ In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. 4. ¶ Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. 5. ¶ A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. 6. ¶ A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. 7. ¶ Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. 8. ¶ The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. 9. ¶ Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour. 10. ¶ The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. 11. ¶ The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish. 12. ¶ There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 13. ¶ Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. 14. ¶ The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. 15. ¶ The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. 16. ¶ A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. 17. ¶ He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices 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 is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. 21. ¶ He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. 22. ¶ Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. 23. ¶ In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. 24. ¶ The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. 25. ¶ A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. 26. ¶ In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 28. ¶ In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. 29. ¶ He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. 30. ¶ A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. 31. ¶ He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. 32. ¶ The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. 33. ¶ Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. 34. ¶ Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. 35. ¶ The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.