Proverbs 14

Berean Standard Bible

Chapter summary

Proverbs 14 presents a series of contrasts between the behaviors, choices, and fates of wise, upright, and prudent individuals versus those who are foolish, wicked, or deceitful. The text details how honesty, labor, and patience lead to stability, security, and favor, while falsehood, quick tempers, and folly result in ruin and destruction. It describes social dynamics involving the rich and poor, truthful and false witnesses, and the interactions between kings and their servants. The chapter notes that the house of the wicked is destroyed while the tent of the upright flourishes, and highlights the consequences of various human actions across community and domestic life.

Summary automatically generated from the Bible text.

Words of Jesus in red

¹Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. ²He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him. ³The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. ⁴Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox. ⁵An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies. ⁶A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. ⁷Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. ⁸The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them. ⁹Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright. ¹⁰The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in 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 of death. ¹³Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow. ¹⁴The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways. ¹⁵The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps. ¹⁶A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless. ¹⁷A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated. ¹⁸The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. ¹⁹The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. ²⁰The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich. ²¹He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor. ²²Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness. ²³There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty. ²⁴The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly. ²⁵A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful. ²⁶He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge. ²⁷The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. ²⁸A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin. ²⁹A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly. ³⁰A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones. ³¹Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him. ³²The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death. ³³Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known. ³⁴Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. ³⁵A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.

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Louis Segond 1910 and Berean Standard Bible: public domain. Cross references: open-cross-ref, Creative Commons BY 4.0.