Proverbs, 14
1. Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
1. Wisdom builds her house, foolishness destroys it with her own hands.
2. He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but [he that is] perverse in his ways despiseth him.
2. Upright living is fear of Yahweh, but he who is devious in his ways scorns him.
3. In the mouth of the foolish [is] a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
3. From the fool's mouth comes the rod of his pride, the wise man's lips protect him.
4. Where no oxen [are], the crib [is] clean: but much increase [is] by the strength of the ox.
4. Where there's no oxen, there's no wheat, in the oxen's strength there's abundant harvest.
5. A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
5. The truthful witness does not lie; the false witness breathes deceit.
6. A scorner seeketh wisdom, and [findeth it] not: but knowledge [is] easy unto him that understandeth.
6. The mocker searches for wisdom in vain; knowledge comes easily to the discreet man.
7. Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not [in him] the lips of knowledge.
7. Keep away from the fool for you will find no wisdom in his words.
8. The wisdom of the prudent [is] to understand his way: but the folly of fools [is] deceit.
8. The wisdom of the discreet man lies in guarding his conduct, but the foolishness of fools is full of deceit.
9. Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous [there is] favour.
9. Fools never make amends, while goodwill dwells among the upright.
10. The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
10. The heart understands its own grief; no stranger can share in its joy.
11. The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
11. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will stand firm.
12. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.
12. To one, his way appears correct, but in the end it leads to death.
13. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth [is] heaviness.
13. The heart feels pain in the midst of laughter, and joy ends in sorrow.
14. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man [shall be satisfied] from himself.
14. The reckless man reaps the fruit of his ways; the good man will earn reward.
15. The simple believeth every word: but the prudent [man] looketh well to his going.
15. The simpleton believes all he's told, the prudent man watches his step.
16. A wise [man] feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
16. The wise man fears and avoids evil, the fool goes near and feels safe.
17. [He that is] soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
17. The angry man does foolish things, the crafty man makes himself hated.
18. The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
18. Foolishness is the inheritance of fools, the prudent choose wisdom as their crown.
19. The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
19. The wicked shall kneel before the good, and the godless, before the gates of the virtuous.
20. The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich [hath] many friends.
20. The poor man is detestable even to his neighbor while the rich man has many friends.
21. He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy [is] he.
21. A sinner is he who looks down on his neighbor, happy is he who shows pity to the poor.
22. Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth [shall be] to them that devise good.
22. Does evil plotting not lead to ruin? Do goodness and sincerity not belong to those devoted to good?
23. In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to penury.
23. Hard work yields a profit but the idler brings misfortune.
24. The crown of the wise [is] their riches: [but] the foolishness of fools [is] folly.
24. Wealth is the wise man's crown, foolishness the diadem of fools.
25. A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful [witness] speaketh lies.
25. A truthful witness saves lives; he who lies will be lost.
26. In the fear of the LORD [is] strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
26. There is great security in the fear of Yahweh, his sons find refuge in him.
27. The fear of the LORD [is] a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
27. The fear of Yahweh is a life-giving fountain for escaping 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.
28. Numerous people are a king's glory; lack of subjects ruins a prince.
29. [He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great understanding: but [he that is] hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
29. The discerning man is slow to anger, the impatient one displays stupidity.
30. A sound heart [is] the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
30. A peaceful heart is the body's life but the passions are a cancer in the bones.
31. He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
31. Oppression of the weak insults their creator, he is honored by those who have compassion on the needy.
32. The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
32. The evildoer is overthrown by his own evil, the upright man feels safe up to death.
33. Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but [that which is] in the midst of fools is made known.
33. Wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning; who ever sees her among fools?
34. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin [is] a reproach to any people.
34. Virtue makes a nation great; the sinner disgraces a people.
35. The king's favour [is] toward a wise servant: but his wrath is [against] him that causeth shame.
35. The clever servant enjoys the king's favor but the fool has to suffer his anger.
