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19 Evil people will bow before good people;
    the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.

20 The poor are despised even by their neighbors,
    while the rich have many “friends.”

21 It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor;
    blessed are those who help the poor.

22 If you plan to do evil, you will be lost;
    if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.

23 Work brings profit,
    but mere talk leads to poverty!

24 Wealth is a crown for the wise;
    the effort of fools yields only foolishness.

25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but a false witness is a traitor.

26 Those who fear the Lord are secure;
    he will be a refuge for their children.

27 Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain;
    it offers escape from the snares of death.

28 A growing population is a king’s glory;
    a prince without subjects has nothing.

29 People with understanding control their anger;
    a hot temper shows great foolishness.

30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
    jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

31 Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
    but helping the poor honors him.

32 The wicked are crushed by disaster,
    but the godly have a refuge when they die.

33 Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart;
    wisdom is not[a] found among fools.

34 Godliness makes a nation great,
    but sin is a disgrace to any people.

35 A king rejoices in wise servants
    but is angry with those who disgrace him.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:33 As in Greek and Syriac versions; Hebrew lacks not.

19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
    and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(A)

20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
    but the rich have many friends.(B)

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,(C)
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.(D)

22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?(E)
    But those who plan what is good find[a] love and faithfulness.

23 All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
    but the folly of fools yields folly.(F)

25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but a false witness is deceitful.(G)

26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(H)
    and for their children it will be a refuge.(I)

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,(J)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(K)

28 A large population is a king’s glory,
    but without subjects a prince is ruined.(L)

29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(M)
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(N)

30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.(O)

31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(P)
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(Q)

32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(R)
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(S)

33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(T)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.[b]

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(U)
    but sin condemns any people.

35 A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(V)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:22 Or show
  2. Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known