1Every wise woman builds her house,a

but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.b

2Whoever lives with integrity fears the Lord,a

but the one who is devious in his ways despises him.b

3The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline,A

but the lips of the wise protect them.a

4Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty,A

but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of an ox.

5An honest witness does not deceive,

but a dishonest witness utters lies.a

6A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn’t find it,

but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive.

7Stay away from a foolish person;

you will gain no knowledge from his speech.a

8The sensible person’s wisdom is to consider his way,

but the stupidity of fools deceives them.

9Fools mock at making reparation,A

but there is goodwill among the upright.

10The heart knows its own bitterness,

and no outsider shares in its joy.

11The house of the wicked will be destroyed,

but the tent of the upright will flourish.a

12There is a way that seems right to a person,a

but its end is the way to death.b

13Even in laughter a heart may be sad,

and joy may end in grief.a

14The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves,

and a good one, what his deeds deserve.a

15The inexperienced one believes anything,a

but the sensible one watchesA his steps.

16A wise person is cautious and turns from evil,a

but a fool is easily angered and is careless.A

17A quick-tempered person acts foolishly,

and one who schemes is hated.a

18The inexperienced inherit foolishness,

but the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

19The evil bow before those who are good,

and the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.

20A poor person is hated even by his neighbor,a

but there are many who love the rich.b

21The one who despises his neighbor sins,a

but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.b

22Don’t those who plan evil go astray?a

But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.b

23There is profit in all hard work,

but endless talkA leads only to poverty.a

24The crown of the wise is their wealth,

but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness.

25A truthful witness rescues lives,

but one who utters lies is deceitful.a

26In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence

and his children have a refuge.a

27The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,

turning people away from the snares of death.a

28A large population is a king’s splendor,

but a shortage of people is a ruler’s devastation.

29A patient person shows great understanding,a

but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.

30A tranquil heart is life to the body,a

but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.b

31The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker,a

but one who is kind to the needy honors him.b

32The wicked one is thrown down by his own sin,a

but the righteous one has a refuge in his death.b

33Wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning;a

she is knownA even among fools.

34Righteousness exalts a nation,

but sin is a disgrace to any people.a

35A king favors a prudent servant,a

but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.