1 The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2 He whose walk is upright fears the Lord, but he
whose ways are devious despises him.
3 A fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips
of the wise protect them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but
from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.
5 A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false
witness pours out lies.
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but
knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
7 Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find
knowledge on his lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to
their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is
found among the upright.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one
else can 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 that seems right to a man, but in
the end it leads to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may
end in grief.
14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
and the good man rewarded for his.
15 A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man
gives thought to his steps.
16 A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a
fool is hotheaded and reckless.
17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a
crafty man is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are
crowned with knowledge.
19 Evil men will bow down in the presence of the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but
the rich have many friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is
he who is kind to the needy.
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who
plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads
only to poverty.
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the
folly of fools yields folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness
is deceitful.
26 He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and
for his children it will be a refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning
a man from the snares of death.
28 A large population is a king’s glory, but without
subjects a prince is ruined.
29 A patient man has great understanding, but a
quick-tempered man displays folly.
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy
rots the bones.
31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their
Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,
but even in death the righteous have a refuge.
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and
even among fools she lets herself be known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a
disgrace to any people.
35 A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful
servant incurs his wrath.
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