Proverbs 14

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.	1 Wisdom builds her house, but Folly tears hers down with her own hands.
2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.	2 He who walks uprightly fears the LORD, but he who is devious in his ways spurns him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.	3 In the mouth of the fool is a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.	4 Where there are no oxen, the crib remains empty; but large crops come through the strength of the bull.
5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.	5 A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness utters lies.
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.	6 The senseless man seeks in vain for wisdom, but knowledge is easy to the man of intelligence.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.	7 To avoid the foolish man, take steps! But knowing lips one meets with by surprise.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.	8 The shrewd man's wisdom gives him knowledge of his way, but the folly of fools is their deception.
9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.	9 Guilt lodges in the tents of the arrogant, but favor in the house of the just.
10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.	10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and in its joy no one else shares.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.	11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.	12 Sometimes a way seems right to a man, but the end of it leads to death!
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.	13 Even in laughter the heart may be sad, and the end of joy may be sorrow.
14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.	14 The scoundrel suffers the consequences of his ways, and the good man reaps the fruit of his paths.
15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.	15 The simpleton believes everything, but the shrewd man measures his steps.
16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.	16 The wise man is cautious and shuns evil; the fool is reckless and sure of himself.
17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.	17 The quick-tempered man makes a fool of himself, but the prudent man is at peace.
18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.	18 The adornment of simpletons is folly, but shrewd men gain the crown of knowledge.
19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.	19 Evil men must bow down before the good, and the wicked, at the gates of the just.
20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.	20 Even by his neighbor the poor man is hated, but the friends of the rich are many.
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.	21 He sins who despises the hungry; but happy is he who is kind to the poor!
22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.	22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those intent on good gain kindness and constancy.
23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.	23 In all labor there is profit, but mere talk tends only to penury.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.	24 The crown of the wise is resourcefulness; the diadem of fools is folly.
25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.	25 The truthful witness saves lives, but he who utters lies is a betrayer.
26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.	26 In the fear of the LORD is a strong defense; even for one's children he will be a refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.	27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that a man may avoid the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.	28 In many subjects lies the glory of the king; but if his people are few, it is the prince's ruin.
29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.	29 The patient man shows much good sense, but the quick-tempered man displays folly at its height.
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.	30 A tranquil mind gives life to the body, but jealousy rots the bones.
31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.	31 He who oppresses the poor blasphemes his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy glorifies him.
32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.	32 The wicked man is overthrown by his wickedness, but the just man finds a refuge in his honesty.
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.	33 In the heart of the intelligent wisdom abides, but in the bosom of fools it is unknown.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.	34 Virtue exalts a nation, but sin is a people's disgrace.
35 The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.	35 The king favors the intelligent servant, but the worthless one incurs his wrath.