Proverbs Chapter 14
King James Version (KJV)
Other Translations
darby (darby) - eBible.org Darby 1890 plaintext
1
The wisdom of women buildeth their house; but folly plucketh it down with her hands.
2
He that walketh in his uprightness feareth Jehovah; but he that is perverted in his ways despiseth him.
3
In the fool's mouth is a rod of pride; but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5
A faithful witness will not lie; but a false witness uttereth lies.
6
A scorner seeketh wisdom, and there is none [for him]; but knowledge is easy unto the intelligent.
7
Go from the presence of a foolish man, in whom thou perceivest not the lips of knowledge.
8
The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way; but the folly of the foolish is deceit.
9
Fools make a mock at trespass; but for the upright there is favour.
10
The heart knoweth its own bitterness, and a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.
11
The house of the wicked shall be overthrown; but the tent of the upright shall flourish.
12
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death.
13
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of mirth is sadness.
14
The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways, and the good man from what is in himself.
15
The simple believeth every word; but the prudent [man] heedeth his going.
16
A wise [man] feareth and departeth from evil; but the foolish is overbearing and confident.
17
He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly, and a man of mischievous devices is hated.
18
The simple inherit folly; but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19
The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous [man].
20
He that is poor is hated even of his own neighbour; but the rich hath many friends.
21
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth; but he that is gracious to the afflicted, happy is he.
22
Do they not err that devise evil? but loving-kindness and truth are for those that devise good.
23
In all labour there is profit; but the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to want.
24
The crown of the wise is their riches; the folly of the foolish is folly.
25
A true witness delivereth souls; but deceit uttereth lies.
26
In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.
27
The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, to turn away from the snares of death.
28
In the multitude of people is the king's glory; but in the lack of people is the ruin of a prince.
29
He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
30
A sound heart is the life of the flesh; but envy the rottenness of the bones.
31
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; but he that honoureth Him is gracious to the needy.
32
The wicked is driven away by his evil-doing; but the righteous trusteth, [even] in his death.
33
Wisdom resteth in the heart of the intelligent [man]; but that which is in the foolish maketh itself known.
34
Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to peoples.
35
The king's favour is toward a wise servant; but his wrath is [against] him that causeth shame.
lxxbrent (lxxbrent) - Septuagint (Brenton 1851) eBible USFM
1
Wise women build houses: but a foolish one digs [hers] down with her hands.
2
He that walks uprightly fears the Lord; but he that is perverse in his ways shall be dishonoured.
3
Out of the mouth of fools [comes] a rod of pride; but the lips of the wise preserve them.
4
Where no oxen are, the cribs are clean; but where there is abundant produce, the strength of the ox is apparent.
5
A faithful witness does not lie; but an unjust witness kindles falsehoods.
6
Thou shalt seek wisdom with bad men, and shalt not find it; but discretion is easily available with the prudent.
7
All things are adverse to a foolish man; but wise lips are the weapons of discretion.
8
The wisdom of the prudent will understand their ways; but the folly of fools leads astray.
9
The houses of transgressors will need purification; but the houses of the just are acceptable.
10
[If] a man's mind is intelligent, his soul is sorrowful; and when he rejoices, he has no fellowship with pride.
11
The houses of ungodly men shall be utterly destroyed; but the tabernacles of them that walk uprightly shall stand.
12
There is a way which seems to be right with men, but the ends of it reach to the depth of hell.
13
Grief mingles not with mirth; and joy in the end comes to grief.
14
A stout-hearted [man] shall be filled with his own ways; and a good man with his own thoughts.
15
The simple believes every word: but the prudent man betakes himself to after-thought.
16
A wise man fears, and departs from evil; but the fool trusts in himself, and joins himself with the transgressor.
17
A passionate man acts inconsiderately; but a sensible man bears up under many things.
18
Fools shall have mischief for their portion; but the prudent shall take fast hold of understanding.
19
Evil men shall fall before the good; and the ungodly shall attend at the gates of the righteous.
20
Friends will hate poor friends; but the friends of the rich are many.
21
He that dishonours the needy sins: but he that has pity on the poor is most blessed.
22
They that go astray devise evils: but the good devise mercy and truth. The framers of evil do not understand mercy and truth: but compassion and faithfulness are with the framers of good.
23
With every one [who is] careful there is abundance: but the pleasure-taking and indolent shall be in want.
24
A prudent man is the crown of the wise: but the occupation of fools is evil.
25
A faithful witness shall deliver a soul from evil: but a deceitful [man] kindles falsehoods.
26
In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and he leaves his children a support.
27
The commandment of the Lord is a fountain of life; and it causes [men] to turn aside from the snare of death.
28
In a populous nation is the glory of a king: but in the failure of people is the ruin of a prince.
29
A man slow to wrath abounds in wisdom: but a man of impatient spirit is very foolish.
30
A meek-spirited man is a healer of the heart: but a sensitive heart is a corruption of the bones.
31
He that oppresses the needy provokes his Maker: but he that honours him has pity upon the poor.
32
The ungodly shall be driven away in his wickedness: but he who is secure in his own holiness is just.
33
There is wisdom in the good heart of a man: but in the heart of fools it is not discerned.
34
Righteousness exalts a nation: but sins diminish tribes.
35
An understanding servant is acceptable to a king; and by his good behaviour he removes disgrace.
vul1914 (vul1914) - Vulgate 1914 UTF-8 (sacredbible.org)
1
Sapiens mulier ædificat domum suam: insipiens extructam quoque manibus destruet.
2
Ambulans recto itinere, et timens Deum, despicitur ab eo, qui infami graditur via.
3
In ore stulti virga superbiæ: labia autem sapientium custodiunt eos.
4
Ubi non sunt boves, præsepe vacuum est: ubi autem plurimæ segetes, ibi manifesta est fortitudo bovis.
5
Testis fidelis non mentitur: profert autem mendacium dolosus testis.
6
Quærit derisor sapientiam, et non invenit: doctrina prudentium facilis.
7
Vade contra virum stultum, et nescit labia prudentiæ.
8
Sapientia callidi est intelligere viam suam: et imprudentia stultorum errans.
9
Stultus illudet peccatum, et inter iustos morabitur gratia.
10
Cor quod novit amaritudinem animæ suæ, in gaudio eius non miscebitur extraneus.
11
Domus impiorum delebitur: tabernacula vero iustorum germinabunt.
12
Est via, quæ videtur homini iusta: novissima autem eius deducunt ad mortem.
13
Risus dolore miscebitur, et extrema gaudii luctus occupat.
14
Viis suis replebitur stultus, et super eum erit vir bonus.
15
Innocens credit omni verbo: astutus considerat gressus suos. Filio doloso nihil erit boni: servo autem sapienti prosperi erunt actus, et dirigetur via eius.
16
Sapiens timet, et declinat a malo: stultus transilit, et confidit.
17
Impatiens operabitur stultitiam: et vir versutus odiosus est.
18
Possidebunt parvuli stultitiam, et expectabunt astuti scientiam.
19
Iacebunt mali ante bonos: et impii ante portas iustorum.
20
Etiam proximo suo pauper odiosus erit: amici vero divitum multi.
21
Qui despicit proximum suum, peccat: qui autem miseretur pauperis, beatus erit. Qui credit in Domino, misericordiam diligit.
22
Errant qui operantur malum: misericordia et veritas præparant bona.
23
In omni opere erit abundantia: ubi autem verba sunt plurima, ibi frequenter egestas.
24
Corona sapientium, divitiæ eorum: fatuitas stultorum, imprudentia.
25
Liberat animas testis fidelis: et profert mendacia versipellis.
26
In timore Domini fiducia fortitudinis, et filiis eius erit spes.
27
Timor Domini fons vitæ, ut declinent a ruina mortis.
28
In multitudine populi dignitas regis: et in paucitate plebis ignominia principis.
29
Qui patiens est, multa gubernatur prudentia: qui autem impatiens est, exaltat stultitiam suam.
30
Vita carnium, sanitas cordis: putredo ossium, invidia.
31
Qui calumniatur egentem, exprobrat factori eius: honorat autem eum, qui miseretur pauperis.
32
In malitia sua expelletur impius: sperat autem iustus in morte sua.
33
In corde prudentis requiescit sapientia, et indoctos quosque erudiet.
34
Iustitia elevat gentem: miseros autem facit populos peccatum.
35
Acceptus est regi minister intelligens: iracundiam eius inutilis sustinebit.
web (web) - WorldEnglish.Bible — CC0 modern update of ASV
1
Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
2
He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.
3
The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
4
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5
A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies.
6
A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
7
Stay away from a foolish man, for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.
8
The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.
9
Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but among the upright there is good will.
10
The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger.
11
The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12
There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
13
Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, and mirth may end in heaviness.
14
The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.
15
A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
16
A wise man fears and shuns evil, but the fool is hot headed and reckless.
17
He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated.
18
The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19
The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20
The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, but the rich person has many friends.
21
He who despises his neighbor sins, but he who has pity on the poor is blessed.
22
Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.
23
In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
24
The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.
25
A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful.
26
In the fear of the LORD is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.
27
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death.
28
In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.
29
He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
30
The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones.
31
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
32
The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge.
33
Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools.
34
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35
The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.
ylt (ylt) - Bible.com YLT98 plain UTF-8
1
Every wise woman hath builded her house, And the foolish with her hands breaketh it down.
2
Whoso is walking in his uprightness is fearing Jehovah, And the perverted <FI>in<Fi> his ways is despising Him.
3
In the mouth of a fool <FI>is<Fi> a rod of pride, And the lips of the wise preserve them.
4
Without oxen a stall <FI>is<Fi> clean, And great <FI>is<Fi> the increase by the power of the ox.
5
A faithful witness lieth not, And a false witness breatheth out lies.
6
A scorner hath sought wisdom, and it is not, And knowledge to the intelligent <FI>is<Fi> easy.
7
Go from before a foolish man, Or thou hast not known the lips of knowledge.
8
The wisdom of the prudent <FI>is<Fi> to understand his way, And the folly of fools <FI>is<Fi> deceit.
9
Fools mock at a guilt-offering, And among the upright--a pleasing thing.
10
The heart knoweth its own bitterness, And with its joy a stranger doth not intermeddle.
11
The house of the wicked is destroyed, And the tent of the upright flourisheth.
12
There is a way--right before a man, And its latter end <FI>are<Fi> ways of death.
13
Even in laughter is the heart pained, And the latter end of joy <FI>is<Fi> affliction.
14
From his ways is the backslider in heart filled, And a good man--from his fruits.
15
The simple giveth credence to everything, And the prudent attendeth to his step.
16
The wise is fearing and turning from evil, And a fool is transgressing and is confident.
17
Whoso is short of temper doth folly, And a man of wicked devices is hated.
18
The simple have inherited folly, And the prudent are crowned <FI>with<Fi> knowledge.
19
The evil have bowed down before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20
Even of his neighbour is the poor hated, And those loving the rich <FI>are<Fi> many.
21
Whoso is despising his neighbour sinneth, Whoso is favouring the humble, O his happiness.
22
Do not they err who are devising evil? And kindness and truth <FI>are<Fi> to those devising good,
23
In all labour there is advantage, And a thing of the lips <FI>is<Fi> only to want.
24
The crown of the wise is their wealth, The folly of fools <FI>is<Fi> folly.
25
A true witness is delivering souls, And a deceitful one breatheth out lies.
26
In the fear of Jehovah <FI>is<Fi> strong confidence, And to His sons there is a refuge.
27
The fear of Jehovah <FI>is<Fi> a fountain of life, To turn aside from snares of death.
28
In the multitude of a people <FI>is<Fi> the honour of a king, And in lack of people the ruin of a prince.
29
Whoso is slow to anger <FI>is<Fi> of great understanding, And whoso is short in temper is exalting folly.
30
A healed heart <FI>is<Fi> life to the flesh, And rottenness to the bones <FI>is<Fi> envy.
31
An oppressor of the poor reproacheth his Maker, And whoso is honouring Him Is favouring the needy.
32
In his wickedness is the wicked driven away, And trustful in his death <FI>is<Fi> the righteous.
33
In the heart of the intelligent wisdom doth rest. And in the midst of fools it is known.
34
Righteousness exalteth a nation, And the goodliness of peoples <FI>is<Fi> a sin-offering.
35
The favour of a king <FI>is<Fi> to a wise servant, And an object of his wrath is one causing shame!
Explanations by Age Level
Explain Like I'm 5
A long, long time ago, there was nothing at all - no earth, no sky, no animals, no people. It was all dark and empty. But God was there! God is so powerful that He can make anything just by speaking. So God said "Let there be light!" and BOOM! There was light everywhere! God saw that the light was beautiful and good. He called the light "day" and the darkness "night." This was the very first day when God started making our wonderful world!
Explain Like I'm 10
Before anything existed - no planets, stars, or life - God decided to create the universe. The earth started out as a dark, empty place covered with water. But God's Spirit was there, ready to bring order and beauty to everything. When God spoke and said "Let there be light," light immediately appeared because God's words have incredible power. God looked at the light and was pleased with what He had made. He organized time by separating light (day) from darkness (night), creating the first 24-hour period. This shows us that God is organized and purposeful in everything He does.
Explain Like I'm 15
Genesis 1:1-5 establishes fundamental theological truths about God and creation. The Hebrew word "bara" (created) indicates creation from nothing (ex nihilo), demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and power. The phrase "without form and void" (tohu wa-bohu) describes a state of chaos that God transforms into order. The Spirit of God "hovering" or "brooding" over the waters suggests active, caring involvement in creation. The creation of light before the sun (created on day 4) indicates that God Himself is the ultimate source of light and energy. The establishment of day and night creates the framework of time, showing that God operates within orderly patterns while transcending them. This passage refutes both atheistic materialism and pantheism, establishing that God is both transcendent (separate from creation) and immanent (actively involved in it).