Proverbs 14

Contrasting proverbs address the wise woman who builds her house versus the foolish woman who tears hers down, the way that seems right to a man but ends in death, and the fear of the LORD as a fountain of life. The chapter warns against envy, hasty anger, and contempt for the poor.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.	Every wise woman builds her house; but the foolish plucks it down with her own hands.
2	He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.	He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD; but He who is perverse in his ways despises him.
3	In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.	In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride; but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
4	Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.	Where there are no oxen, the stall is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of the ox.
5	A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.	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.	A scorner seeks wisdom and does not find it; but knowledge is easy to Him who understands.
7	Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.	Go from the presence of a foolish man when You do not see in Him the lips of knowledge.
8	The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.	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.	Fools make a mock of sin; but among the righteous there is favor.
10	The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.	The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share in its joy.
11	The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.	The house of the wicked will be overthrown; but the tabernacle of the upright will flourish.
12	There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.	There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the ways of death.
13	Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.	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.	The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, and a good man will be satisfied from himself.
15	The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.	The simple believes every word; but the prudent man looks well to his going.
16	A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.	A wise man fears and departs from evil; but the fool rages and is confident.
17	He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.	He who is soon angry deals foolishly, and a man of wicked devices is hated.
18	The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.	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.	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.	The poor is hated even by his own neighbor; but the rich has many friends.
21	He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.	He who despises his neighbor sins; but he who has 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.	Do they not err who devise evil? But mercy and truth will be to those who devise good.
23	In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.	In all labor there is profit; but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
24	The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.	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.	A true witness delivers souls; but a deceitful witness speaks lies.
26	In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.	In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.
27	The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.	The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to turn one from the snares of death.
28	In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.	In the multitude of people is the king's honor; but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.
29	He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.	He who is slow to wrath is of great understanding; but he who is hasty of spirit exalts folly.
30	A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.	A sound heart is the life of the flesh; but envy is the rottenness of the bones.
31	He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.	He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker; but he who honors him has mercy on the poor.
32	The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.	The wicked is driven away in his wickedness; but the righteous has hope in his death.
33	Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.	Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding; but what is in the midst of fools is made known.
34	Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.	Righteousness exalts a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.
35	The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.	The king's favor is toward a wise servant; but his wrath is against him who causes shame.