Chapter text
World English Bible
Verse-by-verse text with stable anchors, canonical chapter URLs, and copyable verse links.
- 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, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.
- 3 The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
- 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, but a false witness pours out lies.
- 6 A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
- 7 Stay away from a foolish man, for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.
- 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.
- 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; he will not share these with a stranger.
- 11 The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
- 12 There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
- 13 Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, and mirth may end in heaviness.
- 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, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
- 16 A wise man fears and shuns evil, but the fool is hot headed and reckless.
- 17 He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated.
- 18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
- 19 The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
- 20 The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, but the rich person has many friends.
- 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? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.
- 23 In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
- 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, and he will be a refuge for his children.
- 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death.
- 28 In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.
- 29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
- 30 The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones.
- 31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
- 32 The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge.
- 33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools.
- 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, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.