Proverbs 14

GOD’S WORD Translation

⁴ Where there are no cattle, the feeding trough is empty,
but the strength of an ox produces plentiful harvests.
⁵ A trustworthy witness does not lie,
but a dishonest witness breathes lies.
⁶ A mocker searches for wisdom without finding it,
but knowledge comes easily to a person who has understanding.

⁷ Stay away from a fool,
because you will not receive knowledge from his lips.
⁸ The wisdom of a sensible person guides his way of life,
but the stupidity of fools misleads them.
⁹ Stubborn fools make fun of guilt,
but there is forgiveness among decent people.

¹⁰ The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no stranger can share its joy.
¹¹ The houses of wicked people will be destroyed,
but the tents of decent people will continue to expand.
¹² There is a way that seems right to a person,
but eventually it ends in death.
¹³ Even while laughing a heart can ache,
and joy can end in grief.

¹⁴ A heart that turns ⌞from God⌟ becomes bored with its own ways,
but a good person is satisfied with God’s ways.
¹⁵ A gullible person believes anything,
but a sensible person watches his step.
¹⁶ A wise person is cautious and turns away from evil,
but a fool is careless and overconfident.
¹⁷ A short-tempered person acts stupidly,
and a person who plots evil is hated.
¹⁸ Gullible people are gifted with stupidity,
but sensible people are crowned with knowledge.
¹⁹ Evil people will bow to good people.
Wicked people will bow at the gates of a righteous person.

²⁰ A poor person is hated even by his neighbor,
but a rich person is loved by many.
²¹ Whoever despises his neighbor sins,
but blessed is the one who is kind to humble people.

²² Don’t those who stray plan what is evil,
while those who are merciful and faithful plan what is good?
²³ In hard work there is always something gained,
but idle talk leads only to poverty.
²⁴ The crown of wise people is their wealth.
The stupidity of fools is just that—stupidity!
²⁵ An honest witness saves lives,
but one who tells lies is dangerous.
²⁶ In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
and his children will have a place of refuge.
²⁷ The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life
to turn ⌞one⌟ away from the grasp of death.
²⁸ A large population is an honor for a king,
but without people a ruler is ruined.

²⁹ A person of great understanding is patient,
but a short temper is the height of stupidity.
³⁰ A tranquil heart makes for a healthy body,
but jealousy is ⌞like⌟ bone cancer.
³¹ Whoever oppresses the poor insults his maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors him.
³² A wicked person is thrown down by his own wrongdoing,
but even in his death a righteous person has a refuge.
³³ Wisdom finds rest in the heart of an understanding person.
Even fools recognize this.