Sayings on Wisdom, Folly, and the Fear of the Lord
Proverbs 14:1-35
1The wisdom of women has built her house, but folly overthrows it with her hand.2He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is devious in his ways despises him.3In the lips of a fool is a rod for his pride, but the lips of the wise guard them.4Where there are no cattle the crib is pure, but abundant produce comes by the strength of the ox.5A faithful witness does not lie, but a witness of deception breathes out lies.6A mocker seeks wisdom and there is none, but knowledge is easy for the one who understands.7Walk away from a foolish man, and you will not know lips of knowledge.8The wisdom of the prudent understands his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.9Fools mock at guilt, but there is acceptance between the upright.10The heart knows the bitterness of its soul, and in its joy a stranger does not share.11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.12There is a way upright before a man, but its end is the ways of death.13Also in laughter the heart may pain, and the end of joy is grief.14A heart that turns is filled from its ways, and a pleasant man is satisfied from himself.15The simple is faithful to every word, but the prudent understands his step.16The wise is afraid and turns aside from what is harmful, but the fool is angry and trusts.17Short of face he makes folly, and a man of plots is hated.18The simple have inherited folly, but the prudent surround knowledge.19The harmful bow down before the pleasant, and the wicked at the gate of the righteous.20Also by his neighbor the poor is hated, but many love the rich.21He who despises his neighbor sins, and he who is gracious to the afflicted and the poor is blessed.22Do not those who plot what is harmful go astray? But kindness and truth belong to those who plot what is good.23In all toil there is advantage, but the word of lips is surely for need.24The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools is folly.25A witness of truth rescues souls, but one who breathes out lies is deceit.26In the fear of the LORD is confidence of strength, and to his sons it will be a refuge.27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to turn aside from the snares of death.28In the abundance of a people is the adornment of a king, but in the end of a people is the terror of a prince.29Slow to anger is great in understanding, but a hasty spirit exalts folly.30A tranquil heart gives life to the body, but jealousy is rottenness of bones.31He who oppresses the poor taunts his maker, but he who honors him is gracious to the needy.32The wicked is overthrown through his calamity, but the righteous finds refuge in his death.33In the heart of the one who understands wisdom rests, but in the midst of fools it is known.34Righteousness exalts a nation, but shame to peoples is sin.35The acceptance of a king belongs to a prudent servant, but his fury will be on one who brings shame.