Read the Bible

The Wise Woman

¹ Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

² He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.

³ The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

⁴ Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.

⁵ An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.

⁶ A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

⁷ Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.

⁹ Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.

¹⁰ The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy.

¹¹ The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

¹² There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

¹³ Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.

¹⁴ The backslider in heart will have the fill of his own ways, but a good man will be rewarded for his.

¹⁵ The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.

¹⁶ A wise man fears^(a) and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.

¹⁷ A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated.

¹⁸ The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

¹⁹ The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

²⁰ The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich.

²¹ He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.

²² Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find^(a) loving devotion and faithfulness.

²³ There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

²⁴ The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly.

²⁵ A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.

²⁶ He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.²⁷ The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

²⁸ A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.

²⁹ A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.

³⁰ A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

³¹ He who oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.

³² The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge when he dies.

³³ Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even in the hearts of fools she is known^(a).

³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

³⁵ A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.