Proverbs 14–16

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

2He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.

3The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

4Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.

5An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.

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

7Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.

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

10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in 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 man, but its end is the way of death.

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

14The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways.

15The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.

16A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.

17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man 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 man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich.

21He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.

22Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness.

23There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

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

25A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.

26He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

28A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.

29A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.

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

31Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.

32The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death.

33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known.

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

35A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.

1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.

4A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

5A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

6The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.

8The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.

10Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.

11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men!

12A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.

13A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.

14A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.

17Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.

18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.

19The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

20A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

21Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.

22Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

23A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word!

24The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.

26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.

27He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.

29The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.

31He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

32He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.

2All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

3Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.

4The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.

5Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.

6By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.

7When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

8Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.

9A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

10A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.

11Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.

12Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.

13Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.

14The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

15When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

16How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

17The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.

18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

21The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.

22Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.

23The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

26A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.

27A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

28A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.

29A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.

30He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.

32He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.