Proverbs 14 – read and compare multiple versions
Proverbs 14
[1] Every wise woman builds her house,
but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
[2] He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh,
but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.
[3] The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back,
but the lips of the wise protect them.
[4] Where no oxen are, the crib is clean,
but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
[5] A truthful witness will not lie,
but a false witness pours out lies.
[6] A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it,
but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
[7] Stay away from a foolish man,
for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.
[8] The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way,
but the folly of fools is deceit.
[9] Fools mock at making atonement for sins,
but among the upright there is good will.
[10] The heart knows its own bitterness and joy;
he will not share these with a stranger.
[11] The house of the wicked will be overthrown,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
[12] There is a way which seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.
[13] Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful,
and mirth may end in heaviness.
[14] The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways;
likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.
[15] A simple man believes everything,
but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
[16] A wise man fears and shuns evil,
but the fool is hot headed and reckless.
[17] He who is quick to become angry will commit folly,
and a crafty man is hated.
[18] The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
[19] The evil bow down before the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
[20] The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor,
but the rich person has many friends.
[21] He who despises his neighbor sins,
but he who has pity on the poor is blessed.
[22] Don’t they go astray who plot evil?
But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.
[23] In all hard work there is profit,
but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
[24] The crown of the wise is their riches,
but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.
[25] A truthful witness saves souls,
but a false witness is deceitful.
[26] In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress,
and he will be a refuge for his children.
[27] The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life,
turning people from the snares of death.
[28] In the multitude of people is the king’s glory,
but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.
[29] He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
[30] The life of the body is a heart at peace,
but envy rots the bones.
[31] He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker,
but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
[32] The wicked is brought down in his calamity,
but in death, the righteous has a refuge.
[33] Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding,
and is even made known in the inward part of fools.
[34] Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.
[35] The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely,
but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.
but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
[2] He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh,
but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.
[3] The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back,
but the lips of the wise protect them.
[4] Where no oxen are, the crib is clean,
but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
[5] A truthful witness will not lie,
but a false witness pours out lies.
[6] A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it,
but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
[7] Stay away from a foolish man,
for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.
[8] The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way,
but the folly of fools is deceit.
[9] Fools mock at making atonement for sins,
but among the upright there is good will.
[10] The heart knows its own bitterness and joy;
he will not share these with a stranger.
[11] The house of the wicked will be overthrown,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
[12] There is a way which seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.
[13] Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful,
and mirth may end in heaviness.
[14] The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways;
likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.
[15] A simple man believes everything,
but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
[16] A wise man fears and shuns evil,
but the fool is hot headed and reckless.
[17] He who is quick to become angry will commit folly,
and a crafty man is hated.
[18] The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
[19] The evil bow down before the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
[20] The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor,
but the rich person has many friends.
[21] He who despises his neighbor sins,
but he who has pity on the poor is blessed.
[22] Don’t they go astray who plot evil?
But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.
[23] In all hard work there is profit,
but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
[24] The crown of the wise is their riches,
but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.
[25] A truthful witness saves souls,
but a false witness is deceitful.
[26] In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress,
and he will be a refuge for his children.
[27] The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life,
turning people from the snares of death.
[28] In the multitude of people is the king’s glory,
but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.
[29] He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
[30] The life of the body is a heart at peace,
but envy rots the bones.
[31] He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker,
but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
[32] The wicked is brought down in his calamity,
but in death, the righteous has a refuge.
[33] Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding,
and is even made known in the inward part of fools.
[34] Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.
[35] The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely,
but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.