Proverbs 14

EasyEnglish Bible

14 Every wise woman makes her home strong.
    But a foolish woman destroys her home with her own hands.
² An honest person respects and obeys the Lord.
    But anyone who deceives other people shows that he does not respect the Lord.
³ When fools boast, they bring punishment on themselves.
    But the words of wise people keep them safe.
⁴ When a farmer has no oxen to plough his fields,
    he does not have to feed them.
But he needs strong oxen to grow plenty of crops.
⁵ A faithful person will not tell lies in court.
    But someone who says false things, always deceives.
⁶ If you only pretend that you want wisdom, you will not find it.
    But if you are careful, you will easily understand what is right.
⁷ Stay away from foolish people.
    They will stop you from learning anything that is wise.
⁸ A careful person understands what is right and he does it.
    But a foolish person's silly thoughts deceive him.
⁹ Fools think that they do not need to do anything about their sins.
    But God is pleased with people who do what is right.
¹⁰ When you are upset, you yourself know how sad you are.
    No one else can know what you are feeling, sad or happy.
¹¹ A wicked person's home will come to an end.
    But the home of a good person will continue to be strong.
¹² You may think that you are on a good, straight road.
    But in the end, that road may lead you to death.
¹³ Somebody may be upset, even when he is laughing.
    After his joy has gone, he will still be sad.
¹⁴ If someone turns away from what is right,
    he will receive the punishment that he deserves.
But good people will receive the good things that they deserve.
¹⁵ A silly person will believe anything.
    But a careful person will think before he does anything.
¹⁶ A wise person is careful to keep away from trouble.
    But a fool is careless and he thinks that he is always right.
¹⁷ A person who quickly becomes angry does silly things.
    And people hate anyone with cruel ideas.
¹⁸ Silly people do foolish things, and they receive what they deserve.
    But wise people receive honour for their knowledge.
¹⁹ Evil people will respect good people.
    Wicked people will ask righteous people to be kind to them.
²⁰ Even the neighbours of poor people do not like them.
    But rich people have many friends.
²¹ It is a sin if you do not respect your neighbour.
    But if you are kind to helpless people, God will bless you.
²² People who want to do evil things have lost their way.
    But those who want to do good things show faithful love.
²³ If you work hard, something good will come.
    But if you only talk about it, you will become poor.
²⁴ For wise people, their riches are like a crown of honour.
    But fools only work to get foolish things.
²⁵ Someone who speaks the truth in court may save a life.
    But someone who always tells lies deceives everyone.
²⁶ Someone who respects and obeys the Lord knows that he will be safe.
    His family also will be in a safe place.
²⁷ If you respect and obey the Lord,
    that is like a spring of water that gives you life.
    It will keep you safe from death's traps.
²⁸ A king who rules many people will receive great honour.
    But a ruler with only a few people will have nothing in the end.
²⁹ A patient man shows that he understands what is right.
    But someone who quickly becomes angry shows that he is foolish.
³⁰ If you have peace in your mind, your body will be healthy.
    But if you are jealous, it will eat away your body.
³¹ If you are cruel to poor people,
    you are insulting God who created them.
But if you are kind to helpless people,
    it shows that you respect God.
³² When wicked people are in trouble, they cannot stand.
    But righteous people still trust God,
    even when they are in danger of death.
³³ People who understand what is right have true wisdom.
    Even fools may sometimes show wisdom.^[a]
34 A nation will receive honour when its people do what is right.
    But sin will bring shame on its people.
³⁵ A king will be pleased with a wise servant.
    But he will be angry with any servant who brings shame.