1 T he wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.

Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

2 H e who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, But he who is devious in his ways despises Him.

He who walks in uprightness reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, but he who is contrary and devious in his ways despises Him.

3 I n the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back, But the lips of the wise will protect them.

In the fool’s own mouth is a rod his pride, but the wise men’s lips preserve them.

4 W here no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.

Where no oxen are, the grain crib is empty, but much increase comes by the strength of the ox.

5 A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness utters lies.

A faithful witness will not lie, but a false witness breathes out falsehoods.

6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding.

A scoffer seeks Wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy to him who understands.

7 L eave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge.

Go from the presence of a foolish and self-confident man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.

8 T he wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit.

The Wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is to deceive.

9 F ools mock at sin, But among the upright there is good will.

Fools make a mock of sin and sin mocks the fools, but among the upright there is the favor of God.

10 T he heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy.

The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.

11 T he house of the wicked will be destroyed, But the tent of the upright will flourish.

The house of the wicked shall be overthrown, but the tent of the upright shall flourish.

12 T here is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.

13 E ven in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief.

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of mirth is heaviness and grief.

14 T he backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his.

The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways, and a good man shall be satisfied with his ways.

15 T he naive believes everything, But the sensible man considers his steps.

The simpleton believes every word he hears, but the prudent man looks and considers well where he is going.

16 A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless.

A wise man suspects danger and cautiously avoids evil, but the fool bears himself insolently and is confident.

17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of evil devices is hated.

He who foams up quickly and flies into a passion deals foolishly, and a man of wicked plots and plans is hated.

18 T he naive inherit foolishness, But the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

The simple acquire folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 T he evil will bow down before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

The evil men bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 T he poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many.

The poor is hated even by his own neighbor, but the rich has many friends.

21 H e who despises his neighbor sins, But happy is he who is gracious to the poor.

He who despises his neighbor sins, but happy (blessed and fortunate) is he who is kind and merciful to the poor.

22 W ill they not go astray who devise evil? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.

Do they not err who devise evil and wander from the way of life? But loving-kindness and mercy, loyalty and faithfulness, shall be to those who devise good.

23 I n all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.

In all labor there is profit, but idle talk leads only to poverty.

24 T he crown of the wise is their riches, But the folly of fools is foolishness.

The crown of the wise is their wealth of Wisdom, but the foolishness of fools is folly.

25 A truthful witness saves lives, But he who utters lies is treacherous.

A truthful witness saves lives, but a deceitful witness speaks lies.

26 I n the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge.

In the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children shall always have a place of refuge.

27 T he fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.

Reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.

28 I n a multitude of people is a king’s glory, But in the dearth of people is a prince’s ruin.

In a multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in a lack of people is the prince’s ruin.

29 H e who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.

He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is hasty of spirit exposes and exalts his folly.

30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones.

A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.

31 H e who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.

He who oppresses the poor reproaches, mocks, and insults his Maker, but he who is kind and merciful to the needy honors Him.

32 T he wicked is thrust down by his wrongdoing, But the righteous has a refuge when he dies.

The wicked is overthrown through his wrongdoing and calamity, but the righteous has hope and confidence even in death.

33 W isdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, But in the hearts of fools it is made known.

Wisdom rests in the mind and heart of him who has understanding, but that which is in the inward part of fools is made known.

34 R ighteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.

Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

35 T he king’s favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, But his anger is toward him who acts shamefully.

The king’s favor is toward a wise and discreet servant, but his wrath is against him who does shamefully.