Proverbs 14

1Every wise woman builds up her house, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

2Whoever walks with integrity respects the LORD, but a devious person despises the LORD.

3A fool's talk brings a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise protect the wise.

4Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty, but a strong ox brings a large harvest.

5A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness pours out lies.

6A mocker looks for wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to someone with understanding.

7Stay away from a fool, because you will not find knowledge on a fool's lips.

8The wisdom of a sensible person is to understand a sensible person's own way, but the foolishness of fools is deception.

9Fools laugh at making up for their sins, but goodwill is found among the honest.

10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger can share its joy.

11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of honest people will flourish.

12There is a way that seems right to a person, but in the end it leads to death.

13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.

14A faithless person will be paid back for their own ways, and a good person will be rewarded for theirs.

15The simple believe anything, but a sensible person watches their step.

16A wise person is careful and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and overconfident.

17A quick-tempered person acts foolishly, and a schemer is hated.

18The simple inherit foolishness, but the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

19Evil people will bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20Poor people are disliked even by their own neighbors, but rich people have many friends.

21Whoever looks down on a neighbor sins, but blessed is whoever is kind to the poor.

22Don't those who plan evil go astray? But those who plan good find love and faithfulness.

23All hard work brings profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the foolishness of fools stays foolish.

25A truthful witness saves lives, but a deceitful witness pours out lies.

26Respecting the LORD is a strong fortress that gives a person's children a place of safety.

27Respecting the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person away from the snares of death.

28A large population is a king's glory, but without people a ruler is ruined.

29Whoever is patient has great understanding, but whoever is quick-tempered displays foolishness.

30A calm heart gives life to the body, but jealousy rots the bones.

31Whoever oppresses the poor insults God, the Maker of all, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

32The wicked are brought down by their own wrongdoing, but the righteous have a refuge even in death.

33Wisdom rests in the heart of someone with understanding, and even among fools wisdom becomes known.

34Righteousness lifts up a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

35A king favors a wise servant, but a king's anger falls on one who brings shame.