Proverbs 14
A wise and virtuous person builds up their household and is guided by prudence, while a foolish one destroys it through their own actions. The wise are cautious with their words and actions, whereas the foolish speak mockingly and seek wisdom in vain. The prudent understand their way and are guided by wisdom, but the foolish are led astray by their own imprudence. The just and virtuous are ultimately rewarded, while the wicked and deceitful are punished.
A wise woman builds up her household. But a foolish one will pull down with her own hands what has been built upOne who walks on a virtuous journey, and who fears God, is despised by him who advances along a disreputable wayIn the mouth of the foolish, there is a rod of arrogance. But the lips of the wise guard themWhere there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty. But where there are many crops, there the strength of the ox is manifestA faithful witness will not lie. But a deceitful witness offers a lieA mocker seeks wisdom and does not find it. The doctrine of the prudent is accessibleGo against a foolish man, and he does not acknowledge lips of prudenceThe wisdom of a discerning man is to understand his way. And the imprudence of the foolish is to be wandering astrayThe foolish will speak mockingly of sin. But grace lingers among the justThe heart that knows the bitterness of its own soul, in its gladness the outsider shall not meddleThe house of the impious will be wiped away. Yet truly, the tabernacles of the just shall spring forthThere is a way which seems just to a man, but its conclusion leads to deathLaughter shall be mingled with sorrow, and mourning occupies the limits of joyThe foolish will be filled up by his own ways. And the good man shall be above himThe innocent trust every word. The astute one considers his own steps. Nothing good will be for the deceitful son. But the wise servant shall act prosperously and his way will be set in orderThe wise fear, and so turn away from evil. The foolish leap ahead with confidenceThe impatient will work foolishness. And a resourceful man is hatedThe childish will possess foolishness, and the discerning will anticipate knowledgeThe evil will fall down before the good. And the impious will fall down before the gates of the justThe pauper will be hated, even by his own neighbor. Yet truly, the friends of the wealthy are manyWhoever despises his neighbor, sins. But whoever pities the poor shall be blessed. Whoever trusts in the Lord loves mercyThey wander astray who work evil. But mercy and truth prepare good thingsIn every work, there shall be abundance. But where there are many words, there is often needThe crown of the wise is their wealth. The senselessness of the foolish is imprudenceA faithful witness frees souls. And the chameleon utters liesIn the fear of the Lord is the faithfulness of strength, and there shall be hope for his sonsThe fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, so as to turn aside from the ruin of deathIn a multitude of people, there is dignity for the king. And in a paucity of people, there is disgrace for the princeWhoever is patient is governed by much prudence. But whoever is impatient exalts his foolishnessThe well-being of the heart is life for the flesh. But envy is decay for the bonesWhoever slanders the indigent argues against his Maker. But he who has compassion on the poor honors his MakerThe impious will be expelled in his malice. But the just finds hope even in his own deathIn the heart of the prudent, wisdom finds rest. And so shall he instruct all the uneducatedJustice elevates a nation. But sin makes the peoples miserableAn intelligent minister is acceptable to the king. Whoever is useless shall bear his wrath
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