Proverbs 14

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Wisdom builds herself a house; with her own hands Folly pul s it down.	1 Wisdom builds her house, but Folly tears hers down with her own hands.
2 Whoever keeps to an honest course fears Yahweh, whoever deserts his paths shows contempt forhim.	2 He who walks uprightly fears the LORD, but he who is devious in his ways spurns him.
3 Pride sprouts in the mouth of the fool, the lips of the wise keep them safe.	3 In the mouth of the fool is a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise preserve them.
4 No oxen, empty manger; strong bul , much cash.	4 Where there are no oxen, the crib remains empty; but large crops come through the strength of the bull.
5 The truthful witness tells no lies, the false witness lies with every breath.	5 A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness utters lies.
6 In vain the mocker looks for wisdom, knowledge comes easy to the intel igent.	6 The senseless man seeks in vain for wisdom, but knowledge is easy to the man of intelligence.
7 Keep wel clear of the fool, you wil not find wise lips there.	7 To avoid the foolish man, take steps! But knowing lips one meets with by surprise.
8 With people of discretion, wisdom keeps a watch over their conduct, but the fol y of fools leads themastray.	8 The shrewd man's wisdom gives him knowledge of his way, but the folly of fools is their deception.
9 Fools mock at the sacrifice for sin, but favour resides among the honest.	9 Guilt lodges in the tents of the arrogant, but favor in the house of the just.
10 The heart knows its own grief best, nor can a stranger share its joy.	10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and in its joy no one else shares.
11 The house of the wicked wil be destroyed, the tent of the honest wil prosper.	11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There are ways that some think straight, but they lead in the end to death.	12 Sometimes a way seems right to a man, but the end of it leads to death!
13 Even in laughter the heart finds sadness, and joy makes way for sorrow.	13 Even in laughter the heart may be sad, and the end of joy may be sorrow.
14 The miscreant wil reap the reward of his conduct, and the good the reward of his deeds.	14 The scoundrel suffers the consequences of his ways, and the good man reaps the fruit of his paths.
15 The simpleton believes any message, a person of discretion treads a careful path.	15 The simpleton believes everything, but the shrewd man measures his steps.
16 The wise fears evil and avoids it, the fool is insolent and conceited.	16 The wise man is cautious and shuns evil; the fool is reckless and sure of himself.
17 A quick-tempered person commits rash acts, but a schemer is detestable.	17 The quick-tempered man makes a fool of himself, but the prudent man is at peace.
18 Simpletons have folly for their portion, people of discretion knowledge for their crown.	18 The adornment of simpletons is folly, but shrewd men gain the crown of knowledge.
19 The evil bow down before the good, the wicked, at the gates of the upright.	19 Evil men must bow down before the good, and the wicked, at the gates of the just.
20 The poor is detestable even to a friend, but many are they who love someone rich.	20 Even by his neighbor the poor man is hated, but the friends of the rich are many.
21 One who despises the needy is at fault, one who takes pity on the poor is blessed.	21 He sins who despises the hungry; but happy is he who is kind to the poor!
22 Plan evil -- isn't this to go astray? Those who plan for good can earn faithful love and constancy.	22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those intent on good gain kindness and constancy.
23 Hard work always yields its profit, idle talk brings only want.	23 In all labor there is profit, but mere talk tends only to penury.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches; the fol y of fools is folly.	24 The crown of the wise is resourcefulness; the diadem of fools is folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, whoever utters lies is a deceiver.	25 The truthful witness saves lives, but he who utters lies is a betrayer.
26 In the fear of Yahweh is powerful security; for his children he is a 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 Yahweh is a life-giving spring for eluding 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 Large population, monarch's glory; dwindling population, ruler's ruin.	28 In many subjects lies the glory of the king; but if his people are few, it is the prince's ruin.
29 Mastery of temper is high proof of intel igence, a quick temper makes fol y worse than ever.	29 The patient man shows much good sense, but the quick-tempered man displays folly at its height.
30 The life of the body is a tranquil heart, but envy is a cancer in the bones.	30 A tranquil mind gives life to the body, but jealousy rots the bones.
31 To oppress the weak insults the Creator, kindness to the needy honours the Creator.	31 He who oppresses the poor blasphemes his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy glorifies him.
32 For evil-doing, the wicked wil be flung headlong, but in integrity the upright wil find refuge.	32 The wicked man is overthrown by his wickedness, but the just man finds a refuge in his honesty.
33 Wisdom resides in an understanding heart; she is not to be found in the hearts of fools.	33 In the heart of the intelligent wisdom abides, but in the bosom of fools it is unknown.
34 Uprightness makes a nation great, by sin whole races are disgraced.	34 Virtue exalts a nation, but sin is a people's disgrace.
35 A king shows favour to a wise minister, but anger to one who shames him.	35 The king favors the intelligent servant, but the worthless one incurs his wrath.