Proverbs 14

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Wisdom builds her house, but Folly tears hers down with her own hands.	1 A wise woman builds up her household. But a foolish one will pull down with her own hands what has been built up.
2 He who walks uprightly fears the LORD, but he who is devious in his ways spurns him.	2 One who walks on a virtuous journey, and who fears God, is despised by him who advances along a disreputable way.
3 In the mouth of the fool is a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise preserve them.	3 In the mouth of the foolish, there is a rod of arrogance. But the lips of the wise guard them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the crib remains empty; but large crops come through the strength of the bull.	4 Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty. But where there are many crops, there the strength of the ox is manifest.
5 A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness utters lies.	5 A faithful witness will not lie. But a deceitful witness offers a lie.
6 The senseless man seeks in vain for wisdom, but knowledge is easy to the man of intelligence.	6 A mocker seeks wisdom and does not find it. The doctrine of the prudent is accessible.
7 To avoid the foolish man, take steps! But knowing lips one meets with by surprise.	7 Go against a foolish man, and he does not acknowledge lips of prudence.
8 The shrewd man's wisdom gives him knowledge of his way, but the folly of fools is their deception.	8 The wisdom of a discerning man is to understand his way. And the imprudence of the foolish is to be wandering astray.
9 Guilt lodges in the tents of the arrogant, but favor in the house of the just.	9 The foolish will speak mockingly of sin. But grace lingers among the just.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and in its joy no one else shares.	10 The heart that knows the bitterness of its own soul, in its gladness the outsider shall not meddle.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.	11 The house of the impious will be wiped away. Yet truly, the tabernacles of the just shall spring forth.
12 Sometimes a way seems right to a man, but the end of it leads to death!	12 There is a way which seems just to a man, but its conclusion leads to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may be sad, and the end of joy may be sorrow.	13 Laughter shall be mingled with sorrow, and mourning occupies the limits of joy.
14 The scoundrel suffers the consequences of his ways, and the good man reaps the fruit of his paths.	14 The foolish will be filled up by his own ways. And the good man shall be above him.
15 The simpleton believes everything, but the shrewd man measures his steps.	15 The innocent trust every word. The astute one considers his own steps. Nothing good will be for the deceitful son. But the wise servant shall act prosperously and his way will be set in order.
16 The wise man is cautious and shuns evil; the fool is reckless and sure of himself.	16 The wise fear, and so turn away from evil. The foolish leap ahead with confidence.
17 The quick-tempered man makes a fool of himself, but the prudent man is at peace.	17 The impatient will work foolishness. And a resourceful man is hated.
18 The adornment of simpletons is folly, but shrewd men gain the crown of knowledge.	18 The childish will possess foolishness, and the discerning will anticipate knowledge.
19 Evil men must bow down before the good, and the wicked, at the gates of the just.	19 The evil will fall down before the good. And the impious will fall down before the gates of the just.
20 Even by his neighbor the poor man is hated, but the friends of the rich are many.	20 The pauper will be hated, even by his own neighbor. Yet truly, the friends of the wealthy are many.
21 He sins who despises the hungry; but happy is he who is kind to the poor!	21 Whoever despises his neighbor, sins. But whoever pities the poor shall be blessed. Whoever trusts in the Lord loves mercy.
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those intent on good gain kindness and constancy.	22 They wander astray who work evil. But mercy and truth prepare good things.
23 In all labor there is profit, but mere talk tends only to penury.	23 In every work, there shall be abundance. But where there are many words, there is often need.
24 The crown of the wise is resourcefulness; the diadem of fools is folly.	24 The crown of the wise is their wealth. The senselessness of the foolish is imprudence.
25 The truthful witness saves lives, but he who utters lies is a betrayer.	25 A faithful witness frees souls. And the chameleon utters lies.
26 In the fear of the LORD is a strong defense; even for one's children he will be a refuge.	26 In the fear of the Lord is the faithfulness of strength, and there shall be hope for his sons.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that a man may avoid the snares of death.	27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, so as to turn aside from the ruin of death.
28 In many subjects lies the glory of the king; but if his people are few, it is the prince's ruin.	28 In a multitude of people, there is dignity for the king. And in a paucity of people, there is disgrace for the prince.
29 The patient man shows much good sense, but the quick-tempered man displays folly at its height.	29 Whoever is patient is governed by much prudence. But whoever is impatient exalts his foolishness.
30 A tranquil mind gives life to the body, but jealousy rots the bones.	30 The well-being of the heart is life for the flesh. But envy is decay for the bones.
31 He who oppresses the poor blasphemes his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy glorifies him.	31 Whoever slanders the indigent argues against his Maker. But he who has compassion on the poor honors his Maker.
32 The wicked man is overthrown by his wickedness, but the just man finds a refuge in his honesty.	32 The impious will be expelled in his malice. But the just finds hope even in his own death.
33 In the heart of the intelligent wisdom abides, but in the bosom of fools it is unknown.	33 In the heart of the prudent, wisdom finds rest. And so shall he instruct all the uneducated.
34 Virtue exalts a nation, but sin is a people's disgrace.	34 Justice elevates a nation. But sin makes the peoples miserable.
35 The king favors the intelligent servant, but the worthless one incurs his wrath.	35 An intelligent minister is acceptable to the king. Whoever is useless shall bear his wrath.