Proverbs 14:20-27
Proverbs 14:20-27 New International Version (NIV)
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.
Proverbs 14:20-27 The Message (MSG)
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.
Proverbs 14:20-27 King James Version (KJV)
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.
Proverbs 14:20-27 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many. He who despises his neighbor sins, But happy is he who is gracious to the poor. Will they not go astray who devise evil? 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 folly of fools is foolishness. A truthful witness saves lives, But he who utters lies is treacherous. 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, That one may avoid the snares of death.
Proverbs 14:20-27 New Century Version (NCV)
The poor are rejected, even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. It is a sin to hate your neighbor, but being kind to the needy brings happiness. Those who make evil plans will be ruined, but those who plan to do good will be loved and trusted. Those who work hard make a profit, but those who only talk will be poor. Wise people are rewarded with wealth, but fools only get more foolishness. A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor. Those who respect the LORD will have security, and their children will be protected. Respect for the LORD gives life. It is like a fountain that can save people from death.
Proverbs 14:20-27 American Standard Version (ASV)
The poor is hated even of his own neighbor; But the rich hath many friends. He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth; But he that hath pity 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 labor there is profit; But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. The crown of the wise is their riches; But the folly of fools is only folly. A true witness delivereth souls; But he that uttereth lies causeth deceit. In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence; And his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death.
Proverbs 14:20-27 New International Version (NIV)
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.
Proverbs 14:20-27 New King James Version (NKJV)
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.
Proverbs 14:20-27 Amplified Bible (AMP)
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]
Proverbs 14:20-27 New Living Translation (NLT)
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.
Proverbs 14:20-27 The Passion Translation (TPT)
The poor are disliked even by their neighbors, but everyone wants to get close to the wealthy. It’s a sin to despise one who is less fortunate than you, but when you are kind to the poor, you will prosper and be blessed. Haven’t you noticed how evil schemers always wander astray? But kindness and truth come to those who make plans to be pure in all their ways. If you work hard at what you do, great abundance will come to you. But merely talking about getting rich while living to only pursue your pleasures brings you face-to-face with poverty. The true net worth of the wise is the wealth that wisdom imparts. But the way of life for the fool is his foolishness. Speak the truth and you’ll save souls, but in the spreading of lies treachery thrives. Confidence and strength flood the hearts of the lovers of God who live in awe of him, and their devotion provides their children with a place of shelter and security. To worship God in wonder and awe opens a fountain of life within you, empowering you to escape death’s domain.
Proverbs 14:20-27 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
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.