14:1 A wise woman ·strengthens her family [builds her house], but a foolish woman ·destroys hers by what she does [tears hers down with her own hands].
14:2 People who ·live good lives [walk in virtue/integrity] ·respect [fear] the Lord, but those who ·live evil lives don’t [L go the wrong way on their paths despise him].
14:3 ·Fools will be punished for their proud words [The talk of fools is a rod for their back; or In the mouth of fools is a sprig of pride], but the ·words [L lips] of the wise will protect them.
14:4 When there are no oxen, ·no food is in the barn [or the barn is empty]. But with a strong ox, much grain can be grown.
14:5 A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness tells nothing but lies.
14:6 ·Those who make fun of wisdom look for it [Mockers seek wisdom] and do not find it, but knowledge comes ·easily [or quickly] to those with understanding.
14:7 Stay away from fools, because they ·can’t teach you anything [L don’t have knowledgeable lips].
14:8 The wisdom of a ·wise [prudent] person will understand ·what to do [L his path], but the folly of a foolish person is ·dishonest [deceptive].
14:9 Fools ·don’t care if they sin [L mock a penalty/guilt/reparation offering; Lev. 5:14—6:7], but ·honest people work at being right [those with integrity/virtue are favored].
14:10 ·No one else can know your sadness [L A heart knows its emotional distress], and strangers cannot share your joy.
14:11 The wicked person’s house will be ·destroyed [annihilated], but a good person’s tent will ·still be standing [flourish].
14:12 ·Some people think they are doing right [L There is a path that seems straight to a person], but in the end it ·leads [L is the path] to death.
14:13 ·Someone who is laughing may be sad inside [L Even in laughter the heart may feel pain], and joy may end in sadness.
14:14 ·Evil people [L Rebellious hearts] will be paid back for their evil ·ways [paths], and good people will be rewarded for their ·good ones [deeds].
14:15 ·Fools [The naive] will believe anything, but the ·wise [prudent] ·think about what they do [understand their steps].
14:16 Wise people ·are careful [fear] and stay ·out of trouble [away from evil], but fools ·are careless [or get mad] and ·quick to act [or feel safe].
14:17 Someone with a quick temper ·does foolish things [makes stupid mistakes], but ·someone with understanding remains calm [or schemers are hated].
14:18 ·Fools [Naive people] ·are rewarded with nothing but more foolishness [L inherit stupidity], but the wise ·are rewarded with knowledge [L wear knowledge as an ornament].
14:19 Evil people will bow down to those who are good; the wicked will bow down at the ·door of those who do right [L gates of the righteous].
14:20 The poor are ·rejected [hated], even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends [C perhaps an ironic reference to fair-weather friends].
14:21 It is a sin to ·hate [despise] your neighbor, but being ·kind [gracious] to the needy brings ·happiness [a blessing].
14:22 ·Those [L Do not those…?] who make evil plans ·will be ruined [L wander aimlessly], but those who plan to do good will ·be loved and trusted [receive loyalty and faithfulness].
14:23 Those who work hard make a profit, but ·those who only talk will be poor [L the word of the lips leads only to lack].
14:24 Wise people are ·rewarded [crowned] with wealth, but fools only get more foolishness.
14:25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a ·false witness is a traitor [deceptive person proclaims lies].
14:26 Those who ·respect [fear] the Lord will have ·security [or confidence], and their children will ·be protected [have a refuge].
14:27 ·Respect for [Fear of] the Lord ·gives life [L is a fountain of life] ·and can save people from death [L turning people aside from death traps/snares].
14:28 A king is honored when he has many people to rule, but a prince is ruined if he has none.
14:29 ·Patient people have great [Patience leads to] understanding, but ·people with quick tempers show their foolishness [impatience leads to stupid mistakes].
14:30 ·Peace of mind [L A healthy mind/heart] means a healthy body, but jealousy will rot your bones.
14:31 Whoever ·mistreats [oppresses] the poor insults their Maker, but whoever ·is kind [shows grace] to the needy honors God.
14:32 The wicked are ·ruined [thrown down] by their own evil, but those who ·do right [are righteous] ·are protected [find refuge] even in death.
14:33 Wisdom lives in ·those with understanding [an understanding heart/mind], and ·even fools recognize it [or it is not known in the innards of a fool].
14:34 ·Doing what is right [Righteousness] makes a nation great, but sin will ·bring disgrace to any [diminish a] people.
14:35 A king is pleased with a ·wise [insightful] servant, but he will become angry with one who causes him shame.
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