Proverbs / Sayings on Wisdom, Folly, and the Fear of the Lord

Sayings on Wisdom, Folly, and the Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 14:1-35

Chapter 14

¹ The wisdom of women has built her house, but folly with her hands tears it down. ² He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, and he who is depraved in his ways despises him. ³ In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise guard them. ⁴ In the absence of oxen, a clean stall; and abundance of produce by the power of an ox. ⁵ A faithful witness does not lie, and a false witness puffs out lies. ⁶ The mocker sought wisdom and found none, and skilled knowledge is easy for the discerning. ⁷ Go away from the foolish man, and do not have knowledge of the lips of knowledge. ⁸ The wisdom of the shrewd discerns his way, but the folly of fools is deceit. ⁹ Fools mock guilt, but among the upright there is favor. ¹⁰ The heart knows its soul's bitterness, and in its joy no stranger shares. ¹¹ The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. ¹² There is a way that seems straight before a man, but its end is ways of death. ¹³ Even in laughter the heart aches, and the end of its joy is sorrow. ¹⁴ The backturning heart will be sated from his ways, and a good man from upon him. ¹⁵ The simple believes every word, but the prudent gives thought to his step. ¹⁶ A wise one fears and turns aside from moral evil, but a fool transgresses, overflows, and trusts. ¹⁷ The one short of nostrils does folly, and a man of schemes hates. ¹⁸ The simple inherit folly, and the prudent are crowned with knowledge. ¹⁹ Evil ones bow before good ones, and wicked ones at the gates of the righteous. ²⁰ Even by his neighbor the poor is hated, but lovers of the rich are many. ²¹ One who despises his companion sins, but one who favors the poor—blessed is he. ²² Will not those who plot evil go astray? But kindness and truth are those who plot good. ²³ In all toil there is surplus, and the word of lips tends only to lack. ²⁴ Crown of skilled artisans, their tithe; folly of star clusters, folly. ²⁵ A deliverer of lives is a witness of truth, and one who blows away deceitful lies. ²⁶ In the fear of the LORD is a trust of might, and to his sons there is a refuge. ²⁷ The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to turn aside from the snares of death. ²⁸ In the multitude of people is the glory of the king, and in emptiness like a barren woman is the shattering of the lean. ²⁹ He who is long of nostrils has much understanding, but he who is short of spirit shows folly. ³⁰ A heart of healing is life of the flesh, but jealousy is decay of bones. ³¹ Oppressing the poor insults his Maker, while honoring him graces the needy. ³² In his evil the wicked is thrust away, but the righteous takes refuge in his death. ³³ In the heart of the discerning wisdom rests, but in the midst of fools she is made known. ³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation, but steadfast love for nations is sin. ³⁵ The favor of a king is for a discerning servant, but his wrath is a shame.