Proverbs 14:13-24

English Standard Version

¹³ Even in laughter the heart may ache,
    and ^(A)the end of joy may be ^(B)grief.
¹⁴ The backslider in heart will be ^(C)filled with the fruit of his ways,
    and ^(D)a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
^15 (E)The simple believes everything,
    but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
^16 (F)One who is wise is cautious^[a] and ^(G)turns away from evil,
    but a fool is reckless and careless.
¹⁷ A man of ^(H)quick temper acts foolishly,
    and a man of evil devices is hated.
¹⁸ The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
^19 (I)The evil bow down before the good,
    the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
^20 (J)The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
    ^(K)but the rich has many friends.
²¹ Whoever ^(L)despises his neighbor is a sinner,
    but ^(M)blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
²² Do they not go astray who ^(N)devise evil?
    Those who devise good meet^{[b] (O)}steadfast love and faithfulness.
²³ In all toil there is profit,
    but mere talk ^(P)tends only to poverty.
²⁴ The crown of the wise is their wealth,
    but the folly of fools brings folly.