Proverbs 14:1-27 ▼

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.