Proverbs 14 — BST

14Wise women build houses: but a foolish one digs hers down with her hands.²He that walks uprightly fears the Lord; but he that is perverse in his ways shall be dishonoured.³Out of the mouth of fools comes a rod of pride; but the lips of the wise preserve them.⁴Where no oxen are, the cribs are clean; but where there is abundant produce, the strength of the ox is apparent.⁵A faithful witness does not lie; but an unjust witness kindles falsehoods.⁶Thou shalt seek wisdom with bad men, and shalt not find it; but discretion is easily available with the prudent.⁷All things are adverse to a foolish man; but wise lips are the weapons of discretion.⁸The wisdom of the prudent will understand their ways; but the folly of fools leads astray.⁹The houses of transgressors⁺will need purification; but the houses of the just are acceptable.¹⁰If a man's⁺mind is intelligent, his soul is sorrowful; and when he rejoices, he has no fellowship with pride.¹¹The houses of ungodly men shall be utterly destroyed; but the tabernacles of them that walk uprightly shall stand.¹²There is a way which seems to be right with men, but the ends of it⁺reach to the depth of hell.¹³Grief mingles not with mirth; and joy in the end comes to grief.¹⁴A⁺stout-hearted man shall be filled with his own ways; and a good man with his own thoughts.¹⁵The simple believes every word: but the prudent man betakes himself to after-thought.¹⁶A wise man fears, and departs from evil; but the fool trusts in himself, and joins himself with the transgressor.¹⁷A passionate man acts inconsiderately; but a sensible man bears up under many things.¹⁸Fools shall have mischief for their portion; but the prudent shall take fast hold of understanding.¹⁹Evil men shall fall before the good; and the ungodly shall attend at the gates of the righteous.²⁰Friends will hate poor friends; but the friends of the rich are many.²¹He that dishonours the needy sins: but he that has pity on the poor is most blessed.²²They that go astray devise evils: but the good devise mercy and truth. The framers of evil do not understand mercy and truth: but compassion and faithfulness are with the framers of good.²³With every one who is careful there is abundance: but the pleasure-taking and indolent shall be in want.²⁴A prudent man is the crown of the wise: but the occupation of fools is evil.²⁵A faithful witness shall deliver a soul from evil: but a deceitful man kindles falsehoods.²⁶In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and he leaves his children a support.²⁷The commandment of the Lord is a fountain of life; and it causes men to turn aside from the snare of death.²⁸In a populous nation is the glory of a king: but in the failure of people is the ruin of a prince.²⁹A man slow to wrath abounds in wisdom: but a man of impatient spirit is very foolish.³⁰A meek-spirited man is a healer of the heart: but a sensitive heart is a corruption of the bones.³¹He that oppresses the needy provokes his Maker: but he that honours him has pity upon the poor.³²The ungodly shall be driven away in his wickedness: but⁺he who is secure in his own holiness is just.³³There is wisdom in the good heart of a man: but in the heart of fools it is not discerned.³⁴Righteousness exalts a nation: but sins diminish tribes.³⁵An understanding servant is acceptable to a king; and by his good behaviour he removes disgrace.