1 Wise women build houses : but a foolish one digs hers down with her hands.
2 He that walks uprightly fears the Lord ; but he that is perverse in his ways shall be dishonoured.
3 Out of the mouth of fools comes a rod of pride ; but the lips of the wise preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the cribs are clean ; but where there is abundant produce, the strength of the ox is apparent.
5 A faithful witness does not lie ; but an unjust witness kindles falsehoods.
6 Thou shalt seek wisdom with bad men, and shalt not find it ; but discretion is easily available with the prudent.
7 All things are adverse to a foolish man ; but wise lips are the weapons of discretion.
8 The wisdom of the prudent will understand their ways ; but the folly of fools leads astray.
9 The houses of transgressors will need purification ; but the houses of the just are acceptable. Notesn1 Gr. shall owe. See Job 6. 21.
10 If a man's mind is intelligent, his soul is sorrowful ; and when he rejoices, he has no fellowship with pride. Notesn1 Or, heart be sensitive.
11 The houses of ungodly men shall be utterly destroyed ; but the tabernacles of them that walk uprightly shall stand.
12 There is a way which seems to be right with men, but the ends of it reach to the depth of hell. Notesn1 Gr. come.
13 Grief mingles not with mirth ; and joy in the end comes to grief.
14 A stout-hearted man shall be filled with his own ways ; and a good man with his own thoughts. Notesn1 Lit. bold-hearted.
15 The simple believes every word : but the prudent man betakes himself to after-thought.
16 A wise man fears, and departs from evil ; but the fool trusts in himself, and joins himself with the transgressor.
17 A passionate man acts inconsiderately ; but a sensible man bears up under many things.
18 Fools shall have mischief for their portion ; but the prudent shall take fast hold of understanding.
19 Evil men shall fall before the good ; and the ungodly shall attend at the gates of the righteous.
20 Friends will hate poor friends ; but the friends of the rich are many.
21 He that dishonours the needy sins : but he that has pity on the poor is most blessed.
22 They that go astray devise evils : but the good devise mercy and truth. The framers of evil do not understand mercy and truth : but compassion and faithfulness are with the framers of good.
23 With every one who is careful there is abundance : but the pleasure-taking and indolent shall be in want.
24 A prudent man is the crown of the wise : but the occupation of fools is evil.
25 A faithful witness shall deliver a soul from evil : but a deceitful man kindles falsehoods.
26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence : and he leaves his children a support.
27 The commandment of the Lord is a fountain of life ; and it causes men to turn aside from the snare of death.
28 In a populous nation is the glory of a king : but in the failure of people is the ruin of a prince.
29 A man slow to wrath abounds in wisdom : but a man of impatient spirit is very foolish.
30 A meek-spirited man is a healer of the heart : but a sensitive heart is a corruption of the bones.
31 He that oppresses the needy provokes his Maker : but he that honours him has pity upon the poor.
32 The ungodly shall be driven away in his wickedness : but he who is secure in his own holiness is just. Notesn1 Comp. Heb.
33 There is wisdom in the good heart of a man : but in the heart of fools it is not discerned.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation : but sins diminish tribes.
35 An understanding servant is acceptable to a king ; and by his good behaviour he removes disgrace.