Proverbs 14
Expanded Bible
14 A wise woman ·strengthens her family [builds her house],
but a foolish woman ·destroys hers by what she does [tears hers down with her own hands].
2 People who ·live good lives [walk in virtue/integrity] ·respect [fear] the Lord,
but those who ·live evil lives don’t [L go the wrong way on their paths despise him].
3 ·Fools will be punished for their proud words [The talk of fools is a rod for their back; or In the mouth of fools is a sprig of pride],
but the ·words [L lips] of the wise will protect them.
4 When there are no oxen, ·no food is in the barn [or the barn is empty].
But with a strong ox, much grain can be grown.
5 A truthful witness does not lie,
but a false witness tells nothing but lies.
6 ·Those who make fun of wisdom look for it [Mockers seek wisdom] and do not find it,
but knowledge comes ·easily [or quickly] to those with understanding.
7 Stay away from fools,
because they ·can’t teach you anything [L don’t have knowledgeable lips].
8 The wisdom of a ·wise [prudent] person will understand ·what to do [L his path],
but the folly of a foolish person is ·dishonest [deceptive].
9 Fools ·don’t care if they sin [L mock a penalty/guilt/reparation offering; Lev. 5:14—6:7],
but ·honest people work at being right [those with integrity/virtue are favored].
10 ·No one else can know your sadness [L A heart knows its emotional distress],
and strangers cannot share your joy.
11 The wicked person’s house will be ·destroyed [annihilated],
but a good person’s tent will ·still be standing [flourish].
12 ·Some people think they are doing right [L There is a path that seems straight to a person],
but in the end it ·leads [L is the path] to death.
13 ·Someone who is laughing may be sad inside [L Even in laughter the heart may feel pain],
and joy may end in sadness.
14 ·Evil people [L Rebellious hearts] will be paid back for their evil ·ways [paths],
and good people will be rewarded for their ·good ones [deeds].
15 ·Fools [The naive] will believe anything,
but the ·wise [prudent] ·think about what they do [understand their steps].
16 Wise people ·are careful [fear] and stay ·out of trouble [away from evil],
but fools ·are careless [or get mad] and ·quick to act [or feel safe].
17 Someone with a quick temper ·does foolish things [makes stupid mistakes],
but ·someone with understanding remains calm [or schemers are hated].
18 ·Fools [Naive people] ·are rewarded with nothing but more foolishness [L inherit stupidity],
but the wise ·are rewarded with knowledge [L wear knowledge as an ornament].
19 Evil people will bow down to those who are good;
the wicked will bow down at the ·door of those who do right [L gates of the righteous].
20 The poor are ·rejected [hated], even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends [C perhaps an ironic reference to fair-weather friends].
21 It is a sin to ·hate [despise] your neighbor,
but being ·kind [gracious] to the needy brings ·happiness [a blessing].
22 ·Those [L Do not those…?] who make evil plans ·will be ruined [L wander aimlessly],
but those who plan to do good will ·be loved and trusted [receive loyalty and faithfulness].
23 Those who work hard make a profit,
but ·those who only talk will be poor [L the word of the lips leads only to lack].
24 Wise people are ·rewarded [crowned] with wealth,
but fools only get more foolishness.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a ·false witness is a traitor [deceptive person proclaims lies].
26 Those who ·respect [fear] the Lord will have ·security [or confidence],
and their children will ·be protected [have a refuge].
27 ·Respect for [Fear of] the Lord ·gives life [L is a fountain of life]
·and can save people from death [L turning people aside from death traps/snares].
28 A king is honored when he has many people to rule,
but a prince is ruined if he has none.
29 ·Patient people have great [Patience leads to] understanding,
but ·people with quick tempers show their foolishness [impatience leads to stupid mistakes].
30 ·Peace of mind [L A healthy mind/heart] means a healthy body,
but jealousy will rot your bones.
31 Whoever ·mistreats [oppresses] the poor insults their Maker,
but whoever ·is kind [shows grace] to the needy honors God.
32 The wicked are ·ruined [thrown down] by their own evil,
but those who ·do right [are righteous] ·are protected [find refuge] even in death.
33 Wisdom lives in ·those with understanding [an understanding heart/mind],
and ·even fools recognize it [or it is not known in the innards of a fool].
34 ·Doing what is right [Righteousness] makes a nation great,
but sin will ·bring disgrace to any [diminish a] people.
35 A king is pleased with a ·wise [insightful] servant,
but he will become angry with one who causes him shame.
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
