• Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked

  • 1 The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.
  • 2 One who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, But one who is devious in his ways despises Him.
  • 3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back, But the lips of the wise will protect them.
  • 4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean; But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.
  • 5 A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness declares lies.
  • 6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge is easy for one who has understanding.
  • 7 Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge.
  • 8 The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit.
  • 9 Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is goodwill.
  • 10 The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy.
  • 11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, But the tent of the upright will flourish.
  • 12 There is a way which seems right to a person, But its end is the way of death.
  • 13 Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief.
  • 14 One with a wayward heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good person will be satisfied with his.
  • 15 The naive believes everything, But the sensible person considers his steps.
  • 16 A wise person is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless.
  • 17 A quick-tempered person acts foolishly, And a person of evil devices is hated.
  • 18 The naive inherit foolishness, But the sensible are crowned with knowledge.
  • 19 The evil will bow down before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
  • 20 The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many.
  • 21 One who despises his neighbor sins, But one who is gracious to the poor is blessed.
  • 22 Will they who devise evil not go astray? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.
  • 23 In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.
  • 24 The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools is simply foolishness.
  • 25 A truthful witness saves lives, But one who declares lies is deceitful.
  • 26 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge.
  • 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, By which one may avoid the snares of death.
  • 28 In a multitude of people is a king’s glory, But in the scarcity of people is a prince’s ruin.
  • 29 One who is slow to anger has great understanding; But one who is quick-tempered exalts foolishness.
  • 30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, But jealousy is rottenness to the bones.
  • 31 One who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, But one who is gracious to the needy honors Him.
  • 32 The wicked is thrust down by his own wrongdoing, But the righteous has a refuge when he dies.
  • 33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, But among fools it is made known.
  • 34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.
  • 35 The king’s favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, But his anger is toward him who acts shamefully.