Chapter 14

¹A wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her hands.

²Whoever walks uprightly fears the Lord, but the devious in their ways despise Him.

³In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise preserve them.

⁴Without oxen, a stall is clean, but abundant harvests come by the strength of the ox.

⁵A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.

⁶A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

⁷Stay away from a fool, for you will find no knowledge on their lips.

⁸The wisdom of the prudent is to discern their way, but the folly of fools is deceit.

⁹Fools mock at making amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.

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

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

¹²There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death.

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

¹⁴The faithless will be filled with their own ways, but a good person is satisfied from within.

¹⁵The simple believe everything, but the prudent consider their steps.

¹⁶The wise fear and turn from evil, but a fool is reckless and confident.

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

¹⁸The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

¹⁹The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

²⁰The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.

²¹Whoever despises their neighbor sins, but blessed is the one who shows mercy to the poor.

²²Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan good find love and truth.

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

²⁴The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools is folly.

²⁵A truthful witness saves lives, but a liar betrays them.

²⁶In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence, and His children find refuge.

²⁷The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death.

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

²⁹A patient person shows great understanding, but a quick-tempered one displays folly.

³⁰A tranquil heart gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

³¹Whoever oppresses the poor insults their Maker, but one who is gracious to the needy honors Him.

³²The wicked are overthrown by their evil, but the righteous find refuge in their integrity.

³³Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning, but among fools it is not known.

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

³⁵A king’s favor is toward a wise servant, but his wrath is against one who causes shame. Proverbs 15 The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 15 – VKJV