Proverbs 14

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

1A wise woman builds up her home. A foolish woman tears her own home down with her hands.

2He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

2A person who lives an honest life fears the LORD, which means deeply respecting him. A crooked person shows he does not care about God.

3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

3A fool's proud talk brings a beating on his back. Wise words keep wise people safe.

4Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

4Where there are no oxen, the feeding box stays empty. But a strong ox brings in a big harvest.

NoteThe KJV word "crib" does not mean a baby's bed. It means the box or trough that animals eat from.

5A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

5A witness is someone who tells what they saw. An honest witness does not lie, but a dishonest witness pours out lies.

6A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

6A person who makes fun of everything looks for wisdom but never finds it. Learning comes easily to someone who wants to understand.

7Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

7Stay away from a foolish man. You will not learn anything good from what he says.

8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

8Careful people are wise because they think about the way they are going. Fools fool themselves with their silly ways.

9Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

9Fools laugh at doing wrong. But among people who do right, there is kindness.

10The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

10Your heart knows its own sadness. No stranger can fully share your happiness.

11The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

11The house of bad people will be knocked down. But the tent of honest people will do well.

12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

12A road can look right to a person. But in the end, that road leads to death.

13Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

13Even while you laugh, your heart can hurt. Happy times can end in sadness.

14The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

14A person whose heart turns away from God gets a full share of his own ways. A good man gets a good reward for his.

15The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

15A person who does not think believes every word he hears. A careful person watches where he steps.

16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

16A wise person is careful and turns away from evil. A fool is reckless and sure of himself.

17He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

17A person who gets angry fast does foolish things. People do not like a man who plans tricks.

18The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

18People who do not think end up with foolishness. Careful people wear what they know like a crown.

19The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

19Bad people will bow down before good people. Wicked people will bow at the gates of those who do right.

20The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

20A poor man is disliked even by his own neighbor. A rich man has many friends.

21He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

21It is wrong to look down on your neighbor. But the person who is kind to poor people is happy.

22Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

22People who plan evil are going the wrong way. People who plan good things find love and truth.

23In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

23All hard work brings something good. But talk and more talk leaves you with nothing.

24The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

24The riches of wise people are like a crown on their heads. Fools just keep on being foolish.

25A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

25A witness who tells the truth saves people's lives. A witness who tells lies is not honest.

26In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

26Deeply respecting the LORD makes a person feel safe and strong. His children will have a safe place to go.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

27Deeply respecting the LORD is like a spring of water that gives life. It turns people away from traps that lead to death.

28In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

28A king is honored when he rules many people. A ruler is ruined when he has almost no people left.

NoteIn the KJV, "want" means lack or shortage, not wanting something. "The want of people" means having too few people.

29He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

29A person who is slow to get angry understands a lot. A person with a quick temper spreads foolishness.

30A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

30A calm heart gives life to the body. But being jealous rots a person's bones.

31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

31Hurting poor people insults God, who made them. Being kind to poor people honors God.

32The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

32Bad people are knocked down by their own wrongdoing. People who do right have hope, even when they die.

33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

33Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of a person who understands. Even among fools, it becomes known.

34Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

34Doing what is right lifts a whole nation up. But sin brings shame to any people.

35The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

35A king is pleased with a servant who is wise. He is angry with a servant who brings shame.