Proverbs 14:1-35 TLB

[1] A wise woman builds her house, while a foolish woman tears hers down by her own efforts. [2] To do right honors God; to sin is to despise him. [3] A rebel's foolish talk should prick his own pride! But the wise man's speech is respected. [4] An empty stable stays clean-but there is no income from an empty stable. [5] A truthful witness never lies; a false witness always lies. [6] A mocker never finds the wisdom he claims he is looking for, yet it comes easily to the man with common sense. [7] If you are looking for advice, stay away from fools. [8] The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won't face facts. [9] The common bond of rebels is their guilt. The common bond of godly people is goodwill. [10] Only the person involved can know his own bitterness or joy-no one else can really share it. [11] The work of the wicked will perish; the work of the godly will flourish. [12] Before every man there lies a wide and pleasant road that seems right but ends in death. [13] Laughter cannot mask a heavy heart. When the laughter ends, the grief remains. [14] The backslider gets bored with himself; the godly man's life is exciting. [15] Only a simpleton believes everything he's told! A prudent man understands the need for proof. [16] A wise man is cautious and avoids danger; a fool plunges ahead with great confidence. [17] A short-tempered man is a fool. He hates the man who is patient. [18] The simpleton is crowned with folly; the wise man is crowned with knowledge. [19] Evil men shall bow before the godly. [20] Even his own neighbors despise the poor man, while the rich have many "friends." But to despise the poor is to sin. Blessed are those who help them. [22] Those who plot evil shall wander away and be lost, but those who plan good shall be granted mercy and quietness. [23] Work brings profit; talk brings poverty! [24] Wise men are praised for their wisdom; fools are despised for their folly. [25] A witness who tells the truth saves good men from being sentenced to death, but a false witness is a traitor. [26] Reverence for God gives a man deep strength; his children have a place of refuge and security. [27] Reverence for the Lord is a fountain of life; its waters keep a man from death. [28] A growing population is a king's glory; a dwindling nation is his doom. [29] A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes. [30] A relaxed attitude lengthens a man's life; jealousy rots it away. [31] Anyone who oppresses the poor is insulting God who made them. To help the poor is to honor God. [32] The godly have a refuge when they die, but the wicked are crushed by their sins. [33] Wisdom is enshrined in the hearts of men of common sense, but it must shout loudly before fools will hear it. [34] Godliness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. [35] A king rejoices in servants who know what they are doing; he is angry with those who cause trouble.