Proverbs 14
14
1A wise woman builds her house.
But a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands.
2Whoever has respect for the Lord lives a good life.
But those who hate him walk down an evil path.
3The proud words of a foolish person sting like a whip.
But the things wise people say keep them safe.
4Where there are no oxen, the feed box is empty.
But a strong ox brings in huge harvests.
5An honest witness does not lie.
But a dishonest witness pours out lies.
6Those who make fun of others look for wisdom and don’t find it.
But knowledge comes easily to those who understand what is right.
7Stay away from a foolish person.
You won’t find knowledge in what they say.
8People are wise and understanding when they think about the way they live.
But people are foolish when their foolish ways trick them.
9Foolish people laugh at making things right when they sin.
But honest people try to do the right thing.
10Each heart knows its own sadness.
And no one else can share its joy.
11The houses of sinners will be destroyed.
But the tents of honest people will stand firm.
12There is a way that appears to be right.
But in the end it leads to death.
13Even when you laugh, your heart can be hurting.
And your joy can end in sadness.
14Those who aren’t faithful will be paid back
for what they’ve done.
And good people will receive rewards
for how they’ve lived.
15A childish person believes anything.
But a wise person thinks about how they live.
16A wise person has respect for the Lord and avoids evil.
But a foolish person has a bad temper and yet feels secure.
17Anyone who gets angry quickly does foolish things.
And a person who is tricky is hated.
18Childish people act in keeping with their foolish ways.
But knowledge makes wise people feel like kings.
19Evil people will bow down in front of good people.
And those who do wrong will bow down at the gates of those who do right.
20Poor people are avoided even by their neighbors.
But rich people have many friends.
21It is a sin to hate your neighbor.
But blessed is the person who is kind to those in need.
22Those who plan evil go down the wrong path.
But those who plan good find love and truth.
23All hard work pays off.
But if all you do is talk, you will be poor.
24The wealth of wise people is their crown.
But the foolish ways of foolish people lead to what is foolish.
25An honest witness saves lives.
But a dishonest witness tells lies.
26Anyone who shows respect for the Lord has a strong tower.
It will be a safe place for their children.
27Respect for the Lord is like a fountain that gives life.
It turns you away from the jaws of death.
28A large population is a king’s glory.
But a prince without followers is destroyed.
29Anyone who is patient has great understanding.
But anyone who gets angry quickly shows how foolish they are.
30A peaceful heart gives life to the body.
But jealousy rots the bones.
31Anyone who crushes poor people makes fun of their Maker.
But anyone who is kind to those in need honors God.
32When trouble comes, sinners are brought down.
But godly people seek safety in God even as they die.
33Wisdom rests in the hearts of those who understand what is right.
And even among foolish people she makes herself known.
34Doing what is right lifts people up.
But sin brings judgment to any nation.
35A king is pleased with a wise servant.
But a servant who is full of shame stirs up the king’s anger.
Currently Selected:
Proverbs 14: NIrV
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Proverbs 14
14
Wise People Live Righteously
1The wisest of women builds up her home,
but a stupid one tears it down with her own hands.
2Whoever lives right fears the Lord,
but a person who is devious in his ways despises him.
3Because of a stubborn fool’s words a whip is lifted against him,
but wise people are protected by their speech.
4Where there are no cattle, the feeding trough is empty,
but the strength of an ox produces plentiful harvests.
5A trustworthy witness does not lie,
but a dishonest witness breathes lies.
6A mocker searches for wisdom without finding it,
but knowledge comes easily to a person who has understanding.
7Stay away from a fool,
because you will not receive knowledge from his lips.
8The wisdom of a sensible person guides his way of life,
but the stupidity of fools misleads them.
9Stubborn fools make fun of guilt,
but there is forgiveness among decent people.
10The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no stranger can share its joy.
11The houses of wicked people will be destroyed,
but the tents of decent people will continue to expand.
12There is a way that seems right to a person,
but eventually it ends in death.
13Even while laughing a heart can ache,
and joy can end in grief.
14A heart that turns ⌞from God⌟ becomes bored with its own ways,
but a good person is satisfied with God’s ways.
15A gullible person believes anything,
but a sensible person watches his step.
16A wise person is cautious and turns away from evil,
but a fool is careless and overconfident.
17A short-tempered person acts stupidly,
and a person who plots evil is hated.
18Gullible people are gifted with stupidity,
but sensible people are crowned with knowledge.
19Evil people will bow to good people.
Wicked people will bow at the gates of a righteous person.
20A poor person is hated even by his neighbor,
but a rich person is loved by many.
21Whoever despises his neighbor sins,
but blessed is the one who is kind to humble people.
22Don’t those who stray plan what is evil,
while those who are merciful and faithful plan what is good?
23In hard work there is always something gained,
but idle talk leads only to poverty.
24The crown of wise people is their wealth.
The stupidity of fools is just that—stupidity!
25An honest witness saves lives,
but one who tells lies is dangerous.
26In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
and his children will have a place of refuge.
27The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life
to turn ⌞one⌟ away from the grasp of death.
28A large population is an honor for a king,
but without people a ruler is ruined.
29A person of great understanding is patient,
but a short temper is the height of stupidity.
30A tranquil heart makes for a healthy body,
but jealousy is ⌞like⌟ bone cancer.
31Whoever oppresses the poor insults his maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors him.
32A wicked person is thrown down by his own wrongdoing,
but even in his death a righteous person has a refuge.
33Wisdom finds rest in the heart of an understanding person.
Even fools recognize this.
Wise Ways to Live
34Righteousness lifts up a nation,
but sin is a disgrace in any society.
35A king is delighted with a servant who acts wisely,
but he is furious with one who acts shamefully.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.