Proverbs Monthly

14 The wise woman builds her house,^(A)
    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

² Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

³ A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,^(B)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.^(C)

⁴ Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
    but from the strength of an ox^(D) come abundant harvests.

⁵ An honest witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness pours out lies.^(E)

⁶ The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.^(F)

⁷ Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,^(G)
    but the folly of fools is deception.^(H)

⁹ Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

¹⁰ Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.

¹¹ The house of the wicked will be destroyed,^(I)
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.^(J)

¹² There is a way that appears to be right,^(K)
    but in the end it leads to death.^(L)

¹³ Even in laughter^(M) the heart may ache,
    and rejoicing may end in grief.

¹⁴ The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,^(N)
    and the good rewarded for theirs.^(O)

¹⁵ The simple believe anything,
    but the prudent give thought to their steps.^(P)

¹⁶ The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,^(Q)
    but a fool^(R) is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

¹⁷ A quick-tempered person^(S) does foolish things,^(T)
    and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.^(U)

¹⁸ The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

¹⁹ Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
    and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.^(V)

²⁰ The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
    but the rich have many friends.^(W)

²¹ It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,^(X)
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.^(Y)

²² Do not those who plot evil go astray?^(Z)
    But those who plan what is good find^[a] love and faithfulness.

²³ All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

²⁴ The wealth of the wise is their crown,
    but the folly of fools yields folly.^(AA)

²⁵ A truthful witness saves lives,
    but a false witness is deceitful.^(AB)

²⁶ Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,^(AC)
    and for their children it will be a refuge.^(AD)

²⁷ The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,^(AE)
    turning a person from the snares of death.^(AF)

²⁸ A large population is a king’s glory,
    but without subjects a prince is ruined.^(AG)

²⁹ Whoever is patient has great understanding,^(AH)
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.^(AI)

³⁰ A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.^(AJ)

³¹ Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,^(AK)
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.^(AL)

³² When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,^(AM)
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.^(AN)

³³ Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning^(AO)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.^[b]

³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation,^(AP)
    but sin condemns any people.

³⁵ A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.^(AQ)