Proverbs 14:13-29 - Compare All Versions

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Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief. The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs. The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps. The wise fear the LORD and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure. A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly. A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful. Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined. Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. The 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. The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends. Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness. In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly. A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful. In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined. Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains. Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward. Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence. Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated. Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Evil people will bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly. The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many “friends.” It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor. If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness. Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness. A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor. Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a refuge for their children. Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death. A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing. People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.

Even in laughter a heart may be sad, and joy may end in grief.  The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves, and a good one, what his deeds deserve.  The inexperienced one believes anything,  but the sensible one watches  his steps. A wise person is cautious and turns from evil,  but a fool is easily angered and is careless.  A quick-tempered person acts foolishly, and one who schemes is hated.  The inexperienced inherit foolishness, but the sensible are crowned with knowledge. The evil bow before those who are good, and the wicked, at the gates of the righteous. A poor person is hated even by his neighbor,  but there are many who love the rich.  The one who despises his neighbor sins,  but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.  Don’t those who plan evil go astray?  But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.  There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk  leads only to poverty.  The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness. A truthful witness rescues lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.  In the fear of the  LORD one has strong confidence and his children have a refuge.  The fear of the  LORD is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death.  A large population is a king’s splendor, but a shortage of people is a ruler’s devastation. A patient person shows great understanding,  but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; And the end of that mirth is heaviness. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: And a good man shall be satisfied from himself. The simple believeth every word: But the prudent man looketh well to his going. A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: But the fool rageth, and is confident. He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: And a man of wicked devices is hated. The simple inherit folly: But the prudent are crowned with knowledge. The evil bow before the good; And the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: But the rich hath many friends. He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: But he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. Do they not err that devise evil? But mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. In all labour there is profit: But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. The crown of the wise is their riches: But the foolishness of fools is folly. A true witness delivereth souls: But a deceitful witness speaketh lies. In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: And his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To depart from the snares of death. In the multitude of people is the king's honour: But in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief. The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above. The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps. A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident. A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions is hated. The simple inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge. The evil will bow before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, But the rich has many friends. He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he. Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good. In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty. The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools is folly. A true witness delivers souls, But a deceitful witness speaks lies. In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. In a multitude of people is a king’s honor, But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince. He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.

There’s a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again—it leads straight to hell. Sure, those people appear to be having a good time, but all that laughter will end in heartbreak. A mean person gets paid back in meanness, a gracious person in grace. The gullible believe anything they’re told; the prudent sift and weigh every word. The wise watch their steps and avoid evil; fools are headstrong and reckless. The hotheaded do things they’ll later regret; the coldhearted get the cold shoulder. Foolish dreamers live in a world of illusion; wise realists plant their feet on the ground. Eventually, evil will pay tribute to good; the wicked will respect God-loyal people. An unlucky loser is shunned by all, but everyone loves a winner. It’s criminal to ignore a neighbor in need, but compassion for the poor—what a blessing! Isn’t it obvious that conspirators lose out, while the thoughtful win love and trust? Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table. The wise accumulate wisdom; fools get stupider by the day. Souls are saved by truthful witness and betrayed by the spread of lies. The Fear-of-GOD builds up confidence, and makes a world safe for your children. The Fear-of-GOD is a spring of living water so you won’t go off drinking from poisoned wells. The mark of a good leader is loyal followers; leadership is nothing without a following. Slowness to anger makes for deep understanding; a quick-tempered person stockpiles stupidity.

Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief. One with a wayward heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good person will be satisfied with his. The naive believes everything, But the sensible person considers his steps. A wise person is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless. A quick-tempered person acts foolishly, And a person of evil devices is hated. The naive inherit foolishness, But the sensible are crowned with knowledge. The evil will bow down before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many. One who despises his neighbor sins, But one who is gracious to the poor is blessed. Will they who devise evil not go astray? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good. In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty. The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools is simply foolishness. A truthful witness saves lives, But one who declares lies is deceitful. In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, By which one may avoid the snares of death. In a multitude of people is a king’s glory, But in the scarcity of people is a prince’s ruin. One who is slow to anger has great understanding; But one who is quick-tempered exalts foolishness.

Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief. The backslider in heart will have his fill with his own [rotten] ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his ways [the godly thought and action which his heart pursues and in which he delights]. The naive or inexperienced person [is easily misled and] believes every word he hears, But the prudent man [is discreet and astute and] considers well where he is going. A wise man suspects danger and cautiously avoids evil, But the fool is arrogant and careless. A quick-tempered man acts foolishly and without self-control, And a man of wicked schemes is hated. The naive [are unsophisticated and easy to exploit and] inherit foolishness, But the sensible [are thoughtful and far-sighted and] are crowned with knowledge. The evil will bow down before the good, And the wicked [will bow down] at the gates of the righteous. The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many. He who despises his neighbor sins [against God and his fellow man], But happy [blessed and favored by God] is he who is gracious and merciful to the poor. Do they not go astray who devise evil and wander from the way of righteousness? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good. In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty. The crown of the wise is their wealth [of wisdom], But the foolishness of [closed-minded] fools is [nothing but] folly. A truthful witness saves lives, But he who speaks lies is treacherous. In the [reverent] fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will [always] have a place of refuge. The [reverent] fear of the LORD [that leads to obedience and worship] is a fountain of life, So that one may avoid the snares of death. [John 4:10, 14] In a multitude of people is a king’s glory, But in a lack of people is a [pretentious] prince’s ruin. He who is slow to anger has great understanding [and profits from his self-control], But he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness [for all to see]. [Prov 16:32; James 1:19]

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. The backslider will be paid back from his own ways, but a good person will be rewarded for his. A naive person believes everything, but the shrewd person discerns his steps. A wise person is cautious and turns from evil, but a fool throws off restraint and is overconfident. A person who has a quick temper does foolish things, and a person with crafty schemes is hated. The naive inherit folly, but the shrewd are crowned with knowledge. Those who are evil will bow before those who are good, and the wicked will bow at the gates of the righteous. A poor person is disliked even by his neighbors, but those who love the rich are many. The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever is kind to the needy is blessed. Do not those who devise evil go astray? But those who plan good exhibit faithful covenant love. In all hard work there is profit, but merely talking about it only brings poverty. The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools is folly. A truthful witness rescues lives, but the one who breathes lies brings deception. In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and it will be a refuge for his children. The fear of the LORD is like a life-giving fountain, to turn people from deadly snares. A king’s glory is the abundance of people, but the lack of subjects is the ruin of a ruler. The one who is slow to anger has great understanding, but the one who has a quick temper exalts folly.