1Every wise woman buildeth her house : but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands . 2He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD : but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him. 3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride : but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. 4Where no oxen are , the crib is clean : but much increase is by the strength of the ox . 5A faithful witness will not lie : but a false witness will utter lies . 6A scorner seeketh wisdom , and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth . 7Go from the presence of a foolish man , when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge . 8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way : but the folly of fools is deceit . 9Fools make a mock at sin : but among the righteous there is favour .
The Heart and Its Speech
10The heart knoweth his own bitterness ; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy . 11The house of the wicked shall be overthrown : but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish . 12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man , but the end thereof are the ways of death . 13Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful ; and the end of that mirth is heaviness . 14The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways : and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. 15The simple believeth every word : but the prudent man looketh well to his going .
The Path of Life
16A wise man feareth , and departeth from evil : but the fool rageth , and is confident . 17He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly : and a man of wicked devices is hated . 18The simple inherit folly : but the prudent are crowned with knowledge . 19The evil bow before the good ; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous . 20The poor is hated even of his own neighbour : but the rich hath many friends . 21He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth : but he that hath mercy on the poor , happy is he. 22Do they not err that devise evil ? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good . 23In all labour there is profit : but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury .
Community and Relationships
24The crown of the wise is their riches : but the foolishness of fools is folly . 25A true witness delivereth souls : but a deceitful witness speaketh lies . 26In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence : and his children shall have a place of refuge . 27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life , to depart from the snares of death . 28In the multitude of people is the king’s honour : but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince . 29He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding : but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly . 30A sound heart is the life of the flesh : but envy the rottenness of the bones . 31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker : but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor . 32The wicked is driven away in his wickedness : but the righteous hath hope in his death . 33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding : but that which is in the midst of fools is made known . 34Righteousness exalteth a nation : but sin is a reproach to any people . 35The king’s favour is toward a wise servant : but his wrath is against him that causeth shame .