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Listen to this chapter • 4:11

[1] The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.

[2] Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is devious in his ways despises him.

[3] By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

[4] Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

[5] A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.

[6] A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.

[7] Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

[8] The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.

[9] Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance.

[10] The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares 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 to death.

[13] Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.

[14] The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.

[15] The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.

[16] One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.

[17] A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.

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

[19] The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

[20] The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends.

[21] Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

[22] Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.

[23] In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.

[24] The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.

[25] A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.

[26] In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.

[27] The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

[28] In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined.

[29] Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

[30] A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.

[31] Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

[32] The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death.

[33] Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.

[34] Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

[35] A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

Proverbs — Chapters