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14:1  The wise woman builds her house [on a foundation of godly precepts, and her household thrives], But the foolish one [who lacks spiritual insight] tears it down with her own hands [by ignoring godly principles].
14:2  He who walks in uprightness [reverently] fears the Lord [and obeys and worships Him with profound respect], But he who is devious in his ways despises Him.
14:3  In the mouth of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God] is a rod for his back, But the lips of the wise [when they speak with godly wisdom] will protect them.
14:4  Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, But much revenue [because of good crops] comes by the strength of the ox.
14:5  A faithful and trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness speaks lies.
14:6  A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none [for his ears are closed to wisdom], But knowledge is easy for one who understands [because he is willing to learn].
14:7  Leave the presence of a [shortsighted] fool, For you will not find knowledge or hear godly wisdom from his lips.
14:8  The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of [shortsighted] fools is deceit.
14:9  Fools mock sin [but sin mocks the fools], But among the upright there is good will and the favor and blessing of God.
14:10  The heart knows its own bitterness, And no stranger shares its joy.
14:11  The house of the wicked will be overthrown, But the tent of the upright will thrive.
14:12  There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, But its end is the way of death.
14:13  Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief.
14:14  The backslider in heart will have his fill with his own [rotten] ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his ways [the godly thought and action which his heart pursues and in which he delights].
14:15  The naive or inexperienced person [is easily misled and] believes every word he hears, But the prudent man [is discreet and astute and] considers well where he is going.
14:16  A wise man suspects danger and cautiously avoids evil, But the fool is arrogant and careless.
14:17  A quick-tempered man acts foolishly and without self-control, And a man of wicked schemes is hated.
14:18  The naive [are unsophisticated and easy to exploit and] inherit foolishness, But the sensible [are thoughtful and far-sighted and] are crowned with knowledge.
14:19  The evil will bow down before the good, And the wicked [will bow down] at the gates of the righteous.
14:20  The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many.
14:21  He who despises his neighbor sins [against God and his fellow man], But happy [blessed and favored by God] is he who is gracious and merciful to the poor.
14:22  Do they not go astray who devise evil and wander from the way of righteousness? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.
14:23  In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.
14:24  The crown of the wise is their wealth [of wisdom], But the foolishness of [closed-minded] fools is [nothing but] folly.
14:25  A truthful witness saves lives, But he who speaks lies is treacherous.
14:26  In the [reverent] fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And His children will [always] have a place of refuge.
14:27  The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that leads to obedience and worship] is a fountain of life, So that one may avoid the snares of death.
14:28  In a multitude of people is a king’s glory, But in a lack of people is a [pretentious] prince’s ruin.
14:29  He who is slow to anger has great understanding [and profits from his self-control], But he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness [for all to see].
14:30  A calm and peaceful and tranquil heart is life and health to the body, But passion and envy are like rottenness to the bones.
14:31  He who oppresses the poor taunts and insults his Maker, But he who is kind and merciful and gracious to the needy honors Him.
14:32  The wicked is overthrown through his wrongdoing, But the righteous has hope and confidence and a refuge [with God] even in death.
14:33  Wisdom rests [silently] in the heart of one who has understanding, But what is in the heart of [shortsighted] fools is made known.
14:34  Righteousness [moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character] exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.
14:35  The king’s favor and good will are toward a servant who acts wisely and discreetly, But his anger and wrath are toward him who acts shamefully.