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Proverbs

Offers wisdom and advice on how to live a good and meaningful life.

Chapter 14

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1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

*A smart woman builds her home; but a foolish one tears it down.

2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

*Walking in honesty, people respect God; but those who go astray don't care about Him.

3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

*In the mouth of fools lies pride, but wise people's lips protect them.

4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

*In places without oxen, the manger stays clean. However, having strong oxen leads to greater growth.

5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

*A reliable witness tells the truth: but a dishonest witness lies.

6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

*A mocker looks for wisdom but can't find it, but understanding makes knowledge easy to get.

7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

*Stay away from a silly person; don't hang around someone who doesn't show wisdom in their words.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

*The smart person's wisdom helps them know their path, but foolish people's mistakes involve tricking others.

9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

*Fools laugh at wrongdoing, but among good people, kindness is shown.

10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

*The heart understands its own sadness, and a stranger doesn't get involved in one's happiness.

11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

*The bad person's home will be destroyed, but the good person's shelter will thrive.

12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

*A path may look good to someone, but it can lead to dangerous outcomes.

13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

*Even when laughing, the heart can still be sad; and the result of all that joy is feeling heavy.

14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

*People who go astray will be filled by their own choices, while good people will find satisfaction within themselves.

15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

*The naive person believes everything they hear, but the wise person carefully considers their actions.

16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

*A smart person avoids bad things and stays away from them, but a foolish person acts recklessly and feels sure about it.

17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

*Quick anger shows foolishness, and people dislike those with bad intentions.

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

*The straightforward often make mistakes, but the wise gain understanding.

19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

*The bad people show respect to the good ones, and the bad people stand at the entrance to where the good people are.

20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

*The poor person is not liked by their nearby neighbor, but the wealthy person has lots of friends.

21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

*Disrespecting your neighbor is wrong, but helping the poor brings happiness.

22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

*Do those who plan bad things go astray? But kindness and honesty will be for those who plan good things.

23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

*In all work, there is gain: but chatting without doing leads to poverty.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

*The smart person's wealth is their crown, but a fool's foolishness is just silliness.

25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

*A genuine, honest witness saves lives: but a dishonest witness tells falsehoods.

26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

*In trusting God deeply, there is great confidence. His kids will have a safe spot.

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

*Fearing God brings life and helps us avoid death's traps.

28 In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

*When there are many people, a king's reputation grows; but when there aren't enough people, a prince's downfall occurs.

29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

*"Patience in anger shows wisdom, but quick temper promotes foolishness."

30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

*A healthy mind keeps a body alive, but jealousy destroys bone strength.

31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

*Whoever mistreats the poor person disrespects their creator, but whoever shows respect to the creator is kind to the poor person.

32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

*The bad person is pushed away because of their bad actions, but the good person has hope even when they die.

33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

*Wisdom comes from understanding in a person's heart, but what's in the middle of foolish people becomes clear.

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

*Doing what's right lifts a country up: but wrongdoing brings shame to a group of people.

35 The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

*The king likes a smart helper, but gets angry at someone who makes others feel bad.

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