1The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
but those who despise him are devious in their ways.
3A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,
but the lips of the wise protect them.
4Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.
5An honest witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies.
6The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
7Stay away from a fool,
for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
8The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
but the folly of fools is deception.
9Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright.
10Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no-one else can share its joy.
11The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.
13Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.
14The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
and the good rewarded for theirs.
15The simple believe anything,
but the prudent give thought to their steps.
16The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,
but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.
17A quick-tempered person does foolish things,
and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.
18The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20The poor are shunned even by their neighbours,
but the rich have many friends.
21It is a sin to despise one’s neighbour,
but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
22Do not those who plot evil go astray?
But those who plan what is good find14:22 Or show love and faithfulness.
23All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24The wealth of the wise is their crown,
but the folly of fools yields folly.
25A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is deceitful.
26Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,
and for their children it will be a refuge.
27The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning a person from the snares of death.
28A large population is a king’s glory,
but without subjects a prince is ruined.
29Whoever is patient has great understanding,
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
30A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.
31Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honours God.
32When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,
but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.
33Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning
and even among fools she lets herself be known.14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known
34Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin condemns any people.
35A king delights in a wise servant,
but a shameful servant arouses his fury.
1A wise woman builds her house.
But a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands.
2Whoever has respect for the Lord lives a good life.
But those who hate him walk down an evil path.
3The proud words of a foolish person sting like a whip.
But the things wise people say keep them safe.
4Where there are no oxen, the feed box is empty.
But a strong ox brings in huge harvests.
5An honest witness does not lie.
But a dishonest witness pours out lies.
6Those who make fun of others look for wisdom and don’t find it.
But knowledge comes easily to those who understand what is right.
7Stay away from a foolish person.
You won’t find knowledge in what they say.
8People are wise and understanding when they think about the way they live.
But people are foolish when their foolish ways trick them.
9Foolish people laugh at making things right when they sin.
But honest people try to do the right thing.
10Each heart knows its own sadness.
And no one else can share its joy.
11The houses of sinners will be destroyed.
But the tents of honest people will stand firm.
12There is a way that appears to be right.
But in the end it leads to death.
13Even when you laugh, your heart can be hurting.
And your joy can end in sadness.
14Those who aren’t faithful will be paid back
for what they’ve done.
And good people will receive rewards
for how they’ve lived.
15A childish person believes anything.
But a wise person thinks about how they live.
16A wise person has respect for the Lord and avoids evil.
But a foolish person has a bad temper and yet feels secure.
17Anyone who gets angry quickly does foolish things.
And a person who is tricky is hated.
18Childish people act in keeping with their foolish ways.
But knowledge makes wise people feel like kings.
19Evil people will bow down in front of good people.
And those who do wrong will bow down at the gates of those who do right.
20Poor people are avoided even by their neighbors.
But rich people have many friends.
21It is a sin to hate your neighbor.
But blessed is the person who is kind to those in need.
22Those who plan evil go down the wrong path.
But those who plan good find love and truth.
23All hard work pays off.
But if all you do is talk, you will be poor.
24The wealth of wise people is their crown.
But the foolish ways of foolish people lead to what is foolish.
25An honest witness saves lives.
But a dishonest witness tells lies.
26Anyone who shows respect for the Lord has a strong tower.
It will be a safe place for their children.
27Respect for the Lord is like a fountain that gives life.
It turns you away from the jaws of death.
28A large population is a king’s glory.
But a prince without followers is destroyed.
29Anyone who is patient has great understanding.
But anyone who gets angry quickly shows how foolish they are.
30A peaceful heart gives life to the body.
But jealousy rots the bones.
31Anyone who crushes poor people makes fun of their Maker.
But anyone who is kind to those in need honors God.
32When trouble comes, sinners are brought down.
But godly people seek safety in God even as they die.
33Wisdom rests in the hearts of those who understand what is right.
And even among foolish people she makes herself known.
34Doing what is right lifts people up.
But sin brings judgment to any nation.
35A king is pleased with a wise servant.
But a servant who is full of shame stirs up the king’s anger.
