14:1 EVERY WISE woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands. |
14:2 He who walks in uprightness reverently {and} worshipfully fears the Lord, but he who is contrary {and} devious in his ways despises Him. |
14:3 In the fool's own mouth is a rod [to shame] his pride, but the wise men's lips preserve them. |
14:4 Where no oxen are, the grain crib is empty, but much increase [of crops] comes by the strength of the ox. |
14:5 A faithful witness will not lie, but a false witness breathes out falsehoods. |
14:6 A scoffer seeks Wisdom in vain [for his very attitude blinds and deafens him to it], but knowledge is easy to him who [being teachable] understands. |
14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish {and} self-confident man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips. |
14:8 The Wisdom [godly Wisdom, which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of [self-confident] fools is to deceive. |
14:9 Fools make a mock of sin {and} sin mocks the fools [who are its victims; a sin offering made by them only mocks them, bringing them disappointment and disfavor], but among the upright there is the favor of God. |
14:10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy. |
14:11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown, but the tent of the upright shall flourish. |
14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man {and} appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death. |
14:13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of mirth is heaviness {and} grief. |
14:14 The backslider in heart [from God and from fearing God] shall be filled with [the fruit of] his own ways, and a good man shall be satisfied with [the fruit of] his ways [with the holy thoughts and actions which his heart prompts and in which he delights]. |
14:15 The simpleton believes every word he hears, but the prudent man looks {and} considers well where he is going. |
14:16 A wise man suspects danger and cautiously avoids evil, but the fool bears himself insolently and is [presumptuously] confident. |
14:17 He who foams up quickly {and} flies into a passion deals foolishly, and a man of wicked plots {and} plans is hated. |
14:18 The simple acquire folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. |
14:19 The evil men bow before the good, and the wicked [stand suppliantly] at the gates of the [uncompromisingly] righteous. |
14:20 The poor is hated even by his own neighbor, but the rich has many friends. |
14:21 He who despises his neighbor sins [against God, his fellowman, and himself], but happy (blessed and fortunate) is he who is kind {and} merciful to the poor. |
14:22 Do they not err who devise evil {and} wander from the way of life? But loving-kindness {and} mercy, loyalty {and} faithfulness, shall be to those who devise good. |
14:23 In all labor there is profit, but idle talk leads only to poverty. |
14:24 The crown of the wise is their wealth of Wisdom, but the foolishness of [self-confident] fools is [nothing but] folly. |
14:25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a deceitful witness speaks lies [and endangers lives]. |
14:26 In the reverent {and} worshipful fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children shall always have a place of refuge. |
14:27 Reverent {and} worshipful fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death. |
14:28 In a multitude of people is the king's glory, but in a lack of people is the prince's ruin. |
14:29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is hasty of spirit exposes {and} exalts his folly. |
14:30 A calm {and} undisturbed mind {and} heart are the life {and} health of the body, but envy, jealousy, {and} wrath are like rottenness of the bones. |
14:31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches, mocks, {and} insults his Maker, but he who is kind {and} merciful to the needy honors Him. |
14:32 The wicked is overthrown through his wrongdoing {and} calamity, but the [consistently] righteous has hope {and} confidence even in death. |
14:33 Wisdom rests [silently] in the mind {and} heart of him who has understanding, but that which is in the inward part of [self-confident] fools is made known. |
14:34 Uprightness {and} right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. |
14:35 The king's favor is toward a wise {and} discreet servant, but his wrath is against him who does shamefully. |