Proverbs 14
14
1A wise woman builds her home,
but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
2Those who follow the right path fear the Lord;
those who take the wrong path despise him.
3A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him,
but the words of the wise keep them safe.
4Without oxen a stable stays clean,
but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.
5An honest witness does not lie;
a false witness breathes lies.
6A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it,
but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
7Stay away from fools,
for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.
8The prudent understand where they are going,
but fools deceive themselves.
9Fools make fun of guilt,
but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.
10Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can fully share its joy.
11The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the godly will flourish.
12There is a path before each person that seems right,
but it ends in death.
13Laughter can conceal a heavy heart,
but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.
14Backsliders get what they deserve;
good people receive their reward.
15Only simpletons believe everything they’re told!
The prudent carefully consider their steps.
16The wise are cautious#14:16 Hebrew The wise fear. and avoid danger;
fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.
17Short-tempered people do foolish things,
and schemers are hated.
18Simpletons are clothed with foolishness,#14:18 Or inherit foolishness.
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19Evil people will bow before good people;
the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.
20The poor are despised even by their neighbors,
while the rich have many “friends.”
21It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor;
blessed are those who help the poor.
22If you plan to do evil, you will be lost;
if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.
23Work brings profit,
but mere talk leads to poverty!
24Wealth is a crown for the wise;
the effort of fools yields only foolishness.
25A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is a traitor.
26Those who fear the Lord are secure;
he will be a refuge for their children.
27Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain;
it offers escape from the snares of death.
28A growing population is a king’s glory;
a prince without subjects has nothing.
29People with understanding control their anger;
a hot temper shows great foolishness.
30A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
31Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
but helping the poor honors him.
32The wicked are crushed by disaster,
but the godly have a refuge when they die.
33Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart;
wisdom is not#14:33 As in Greek and Syriac versions; Hebrew lacks not. found among fools.
34Godliness makes a nation great,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35A king rejoices in wise servants
but is angry with those who disgrace him.
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Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
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Proverbs 14
14
1Every wise woman builds her house,
but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
2He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh,
but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.
3The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back,
but the lips of the wise protect them.
4Where no oxen are, the crib is clean,
but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5A truthful witness will not lie,
but a false witness pours out lies.
6A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it,
but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
7Stay away from a foolish man,
for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.
8The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way,
but the folly of fools is deceit.
9Fools mock at making atonement for sins,
but among the upright there is good will.
10The heart knows its own bitterness and joy;
he will not share these with a stranger.
11The house of the wicked will be overthrown,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12There is a way which seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.
13Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful,
and mirth may end in heaviness.
14The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways;
likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.
15A simple man believes everything,
but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
16A wise man fears and shuns evil,
but the fool is hot headed and reckless.
17He who is quick to become angry will commit folly,
and a crafty man is hated.
18The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19The evil bow down before the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor,
but the rich person has many friends.
21He who despises his neighbor sins,
but he who has pity on the poor is blessed.
22Don’t they go astray who plot evil?
But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.
23In all hard work there is profit,
but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
24The crown of the wise is their riches,
but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.
25A truthful witness saves souls,
but a false witness is deceitful.
26In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress,
and he will be a refuge for his children.
27The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life,
turning people from the snares of death.
28In the multitude of people is the king’s glory,
but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.
29He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
30The life of the body is a heart at peace,
but envy rots the bones.
31He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker,
but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
32The wicked is brought down in his calamity,
but in death, the righteous has a refuge.
33Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding,
and is even made known in the inward part of fools.
34Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely,
but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.
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