Open English Translation PROV Chapter 14

14 The wisest woman builds her house,

^ but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

2 A good citizen respects and honours Yahweh,

^ but a devious person despises him.

3 What comes out of a fool’s mouth is prodded on by pride,

^ but the lips of wise people protect them.

4 Where there’s no cattle, the feeding trough will be spotless,

^ but a good harvest requires the strength of the bull.

5 A trustworthy witness doesn’t tell lies,

^ but a biased witness just breathes out lies.

6 A mocker searches for wisdom, but finds none,

^ but knowledge is simple to find for the one who understands.

7 Go away from where a fool is,

→ otherwise you won’t find knowledgable lips.

8 a sensible person has the wisdom to understand their direction,

^ but fools are deceived by their own foolishness.

9 Fools mock the idea of feeling guilty,

→ so good citizens favour each other.

10 A person holds their own bitterness inside,

≈ and they don’t share their happiness with a stranger either.

11 The wicked person’s house will be destroyed,

^ but the good citizen’s tent will do well.

12 There’s a nice path right in front of a person,

→ but there’s death at the end of that road.

13 People who are laughing can still be aching inside,

≈ and the end of happiness might be grief.

14 Someone who turns back on their morals will be satisfied by their ways,

^ but a good person will be satisfied by what they do.

15 Naive people believe everything they hear,

^ but smart people carefully consider their steps.

16 A wise person fears trouble and turns away from it,

^ but a stupid one is careless and overconfident.

17 People who quickly become angry, act foolishly,

≈ and those planning evil schemes are hated.

18 Naive people inherit foolishness,

^ but clever people are surrounded by knowledge.

19 Evil people will be forced to bow down in front of those who are good,

≈ and wicked people at the gates of those who do what’s right.

20 A poor person is hated even by their neighbour,

^ but there are many who love the rich.

21 Anyone who despises their neighbour disobeys God,

^ but the person who is kind to the poor will be happy.

22 Don’t those who devise evil schemes end up losing their way?

^ However, those with loyal commitment and faithfulness devise good things.

23 Hard work results in a profit,

^ but words from lips only lead to poverty.

24 The crown of wise people is their wealth.

^ The foolishness of fools is really foolish.

25 A truthful witness saves lives,

^ but a deceitful one breathes out lies.

26 Respecting and obeying Yahweh leads to confidence of strength,

and that will be a safe place for their children.

27 Respecting and obeying Yahweh is a fountain of life,

→ to turn people from deadly traps.

28 The pride of a king is being over lots of people,

^ but a shortage of people signals the ruin of a ruler.

29 People who are slow to get angry, have more understanding,

^ but a quick-tempered person prioritises foolishness.

30 A peaceful mind gives a healthy body,

^ but envy causes the bones to rot.

31 Anyone who oppresses the poor, taunts their maker,

^ but showing favour to a needy person honours him.

32 Wicked people destroy themselves by doing evil things,

^ but those who do what’s right find a safe place in their death.

33 Wisdom resides in an understanding mind,

→ and it’s made known even among foolish people.

34 Doing what’s right makes a nation great,

^ but disobeying God brings disgrace to people groups.

35 The king shows favour to a servant who acts with insight,

^ but his rage is for those who act shamefully.