¶ Every wise¹ woman buildeth her house: but the foolish² plucketh it down with her hands.

¶ He that walketh³ in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but⁴ he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

¶ In the mouth⁵ of the foolish is a rod of pride: but⁶ the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

¶ Where no oxen are, the crib is clean⁷: but⁸ much increase is by the strength of the ox.

¶⁹A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

¶ A scorner¹⁰ seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge¹¹ is easy unto him that understandeth.

¶¹²Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

¶ The wisdom¹³ of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly¹⁴ of fools is deceit.

¶ Fools¹⁵ make a mock at sin: but among¹⁶ the righteous there is favour.

¶ The heart¹⁷ knoweth his¹⁸ own bitterness; and¹⁹ a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

¶ The house²⁰ of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle²¹ of the upright shall flourish.

¶²²There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

¶²³Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

¶ The backslider²⁴ in heart shall be filled²⁵ with his own ways: and a good²⁶ man shall be satisfied from himself.

¶ The simple²⁷ believeth every word: but the prudent²⁸ man looketh well to his going.

¶ A wise man feareth²⁹, and departeth from evil: but the fool³⁰ rageth, and is confident.

¶ He that³¹ is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man³² of wicked devices is hated.

¶ The simple inherit³³ folly: but the prudent³⁴ are crowned with knowledge.

¶³⁵The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

¶ The poor³⁶ is hated even of his own neighbour: but³⁷ the rich hath many friends³⁸.

¶ He that despiseth³⁹ his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath⁴⁰ mercy on the poor, happy is he.

¶ Do they not err⁴¹ that devise evil? but⁴² mercy and truth shall be to them that devise⁴³ good.

¶ In all⁴⁴ labour there is profit: but⁴⁵ the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

¶ The crown⁴⁶ of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness⁴⁷ of fools is folly.

¶⁴⁸A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

¶ In the fear⁴⁹ of the LORD is strong confidence: and his⁵⁰ children shall have a place of refuge.

The fear of the LORD is a fountain⁵¹ of life, to⁵² depart from the snares of death.

¶⁵³In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

¶ He that is slow⁵⁴ to wrath is of great understanding: but⁵⁵ he that is hasty⁵⁶ of spirit exalteth folly.

¶ A sound⁵⁷ heart is the life of the flesh: but envy⁵⁸ the rottenness⁵⁹ of the bones.

¶ He that oppresseth⁶⁰ the poor reproacheth his Maker: but⁶¹ he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

¶ The wicked is driven⁶² away in his wickedness: but the righteous⁶³ hath hope in his death.

¶⁶⁴Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

¶ Righteousness⁶⁵ exalteth a nation: but⁶⁶ sin is a reproach to any people⁶⁷.

¶ The king's⁶⁸ favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him⁶⁹ that causeth shame.