Proverbs 14 – Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

1 Every wise woman builds her house,

but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

2 Whoever lives with integrity fears the LORD,

but the one who is devious in his ways despises him.

3 The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline,[fn]

but the lips of the wise protect them.

4 Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty,[fn]

but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of an ox.

5 An honest witness does not deceive,

but a dishonest witness utters lies.

6 A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn’t find it,

but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive.

7 Stay away from a foolish person;

you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

8 The sensible person’s wisdom is to consider his way,

but the stupidity of fools deceives them.

9 Fools mock at making reparation,[fn]

but there is goodwill among the upright.

10 The heart knows its own bitterness,

and no outsider shares in its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,

but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12 There is a way that seems right to a person,

but its end is the way to death.

13 Even in laughter a heart may be sad,

and joy may end in grief.

14 The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves,

and a good one, what his deeds deserve.

15 The inexperienced one believes anything,

but the sensible one watches[fn] his steps.

16 A wise person is cautious and turns from evil,

but a fool is easily angered and is careless.[fn]

17 A quick-tempered person acts foolishly,

and one who schemes is hated.

18 The inexperienced inherit foolishness,

but the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow before those who are good,

and the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.

20 A poor person is hated even by his neighbor,

but there are many who love the rich.

21 The one who despises his neighbor sins,

but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.

22 Don’t those who plan evil go astray?

But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.

23 There is profit in all hard work,

but endless talk[fn] leads only to poverty.

24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,

but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness.

25 A truthful witness rescues lives,

but one who utters lies is deceitful.

26 In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence

and his children have a refuge.

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,

turning people away from the snares of death.

28 A large population is a king’s splendor,

but a shortage of people is a ruler’s devastation.

29 A patient person shows great understanding,

but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.

30 A tranquil heart is life to the body,

but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.

31 The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker,

but one who is kind to the needy honors him.

32 The wicked one is thrown down by his own sin,

but the righteous one has a refuge in his death.

33 Wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning;

she is known[fn] even among fools.

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,

but sin is a disgrace to any people.

35 A king favors a prudent servant,

but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.