¹ Every wise woman builds her house,
but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands. ² He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, ³ The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, ⁴ Where no oxen are, the crib is clean,
but much increase is by the strength of the ox. ⁵ A truthful witness will not lie, ⁶ A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, ⁷ Stay away from a foolish man, ⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, ⁹ Fools mock at making atonement for sins,
but among the upright there is good will. ¹⁰ The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; ¹¹ The house of the wicked will be overthrown, ¹² There is a way which seems right to a man, ¹³ Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, ¹⁴ The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways;
likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways. ¹⁵ A simple man believes everything, ¹⁶ A wise man fears and shuns evil, ¹⁷ He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, ¹⁸ The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. ¹⁹ The evil bow down before the good, ²⁰ The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, ²¹ He who despises his neighbor sins,
but he who has pity on the poor is blessed. ²² Don’t they go astray who plot evil? ²³ In all hard work there is profit, ²⁴ The crown of the wise is their riches,
but the folly of fools crowns them with folly. ²⁵ A truthful witness saves souls,
but a false witness is deceitful. ²⁶ In the fear of the LORD is a secure fortress, ²⁷ The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, ²⁸ In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, ²⁹ He who is slow to anger has great understanding, ³⁰ The life of the body is a heart at peace, ³¹ He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, ³² The wicked is brought down in his calamity, ³³ Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, ³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people. ³⁵ The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely,