Proverbs Chapter 14 to 15 : English Standard Version   | SearchSearch | Next Version | Previous Page | Next Page |

Other Versions14  14:1 The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down. 2Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises him. 3By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back,[1] but the lips of the wise will preserve them. 4Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. 5A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. 6A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. 7Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge. 8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving. 9Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance.[2] 10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy. 11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. 12There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.[3] 13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. 14The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. 15The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. 16One who is wise is cautious[4] and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. 17A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated. 18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 19The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends. 21Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. 22Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet[5] steadfast love and faithfulness. 23In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. 24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly. 25A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful. 26In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. 27The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. 28In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined. 29Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. 30A tranquil[6] heart gives life to the flesh, but envy[7] makes the bones rot. 31Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. 32The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death. 33Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.[8] 34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. 35A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

[1] Or In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride  [2] Hebrew but among the upright is acceptance  [3] Hebrew ways of death  [4] Or fears [the Lord[5] Or show  [6] Or healing  [7] Or jealousy  [8] Or Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of a man of understanding, but makes itself known in the midst of fools


15 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. 3The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. 4A gentle[9] tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. 5A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. 6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. 7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.[10] 8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him. 9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness. 10There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die. 11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man! 12A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. 13A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. 14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. 15All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast. 16Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. 17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. 18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. 19The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway. 20A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother. 21Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead. 22Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. 23To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! 24The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath. 25The Lord tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries. 26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure. 27Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live. 28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. 29The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes[11] the bones. 31The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. 32Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. 33The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

[9] Or healing  [10] Or the hearts of fools are not steadfast  [11] Hebrew makes fat

Other Versions