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.
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Proverbs 14: GW
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GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 14
14
1Homes are made by the wisdom of women, but are destroyed by foolishness.
2Be honest and you show that you have reverence for the LORD; be dishonest and you show that you do not.
3Proud fools talk too much; the words of the wise protect them.
4Without any oxen to pull the plough your barn will be empty, but with them it will be full of corn.#14.4 your barn will be… corn; or you may grow a little corn, but with them you can grow much more.
5A reliable witness always tells the truth, but an unreliable one tells nothing but lies.
6Conceited people can never become wise, but intelligent people learn easily.
7Stay away from foolish people; they have nothing to teach you.
8Why is a clever person wise? Because he knows what to do. Why is a stupid person foolish? Because he only thinks he knows.
9Foolish people don't care if they sin, but good people want to be forgiven.#14.9 Verse 9 in Hebrew is unclear.
10Your joy is your own; your bitterness is your own. No one can share them with you.
11A good person's house will still be standing after an evildoer's house has been destroyed.
12 #
Prov 16.25
What you think is the right road may lead to death.
13Laughter may hide sadness. When happiness is gone, sorrow is always there.
14Bad people will get what they deserve. Good people will be rewarded for their deeds.#14.14 Probable text for their deeds; Hebrew from upon them.
15A fool will believe anything; sensible people watch their step.
16Wise people are careful to stay out of trouble, but stupid people are careless and act too quickly.
17People with a hot temper do foolish things; wiser people remain calm.#14.17 One ancient translation remain calm; Hebrew are hated.
18Ignorant people get what their foolishness deserves, but the clever are rewarded with knowledge.
19Evil people will have to bow down to the righteous and humbly beg their favour.
20No one likes the poor, not even their neighbours, but the rich have many friends.
21If you want to be happy, be kind to the poor; it is a sin to despise anyone.
22You will earn the trust and respect of others if you work for good; if you work for evil, you are making a mistake.
23Work and you will earn a living; if you sit around talking you will be poor.
24Wise people are rewarded with wealth, but fools are known by#14.24 Probable text are known by; Hebrew unclear. their foolishness.
25A witness saves lives when he tells the truth; when he tells lies, he betrays people.
26Reverence for the LORD gives confidence and security to a man and his family.
27Do you want to avoid death? Reverence for the LORD is a fountain of life.
28A king's greatness depends on how many people he rules; without them he is nothing.
29If you stay calm, you are wise, but if you have a hot temper, you only show how stupid you are.
30Peace of mind makes the body healthy, but jealousy is like a cancer.
31If you oppress poor people, you insult the God who made them; but kindness shown to the poor is an act of worship.
32Wicked people bring about their own downfall by their evil deeds, but good people are protected by their integrity.#14.32 Some ancient translations integrity; Hebrew death.
33Wisdom is in every thought of intelligent people; fools know nothing#14.33 One ancient translation nothing; Hebrew does not have this word. about wisdom.
34Righteousness makes a nation great; sin is a disgrace to any nation.
35Kings are pleased with competent officials, but they punish those who fail them.
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.