1. EVERY WISE woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
2. He who walks in uprightness reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, but he who is contrary and devious in his ways despises Him.
3. In the fool's own mouth is a rod [to shame] his pride, but the wise men's lips preserve them.
4. Where no oxen are, the grain crib is empty, but much increase [of crops] comes by the strength of the ox.
5. A faithful witness will not lie, but a false witness breathes out falsehoods.
6. A scoffer seeks Wisdom in vain [for his very attitude blinds and deafens him to it], but knowledge is easy to him who [being teachable] understands.
7. Go from the presence of a foolish and self-confident man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.
8. The Wisdom [godly Wisdom, which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of [self-confident] fools is to deceive.
9. Fools make a mock of sin and sin mocks the fools [who are its victims; a sin offering made by them only mocks them, bringing them disappointment and disfavor], but among the upright there is the favor of God. [Prov. 10:23.]
10. The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.
11. The house of the wicked shall be overthrown, but the tent of the upright shall flourish.
12. There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.
13. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of mirth is heaviness and grief.
14. The backslider in heart [from God and from fearing God] shall be filled with [the fruit of] his own ways, and a good man shall be satisfied with [the fruit of] his ways [with the holy thoughts and actions which his heart prompts and in which he delights].
15. The simpleton believes every word he hears, but the prudent man looks and considers well where he is going.
16. A wise man suspects danger and cautiously avoids evil, but the fool bears himself insolently and is [presumptuously] confident.
17. He who foams up quickly and flies into a passion deals foolishly, and a man of wicked plots and plans is hated.
18. The simple acquire folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19. The evil men bow before the good, and the wicked [stand suppliantly] at the gates of the [uncompromisingly] righteous.
20. The poor is hated even by his own neighbor, but the rich has many friends.