Proverbs 14:21-28
King James Version
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
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Proverbs 14:21-28
English Standard Version
21 Whoever (A)despises his neighbor is a sinner,
but (B)blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
22 Do they not go astray who (C)devise evil?
Those who devise good meet[a] (D)steadfast love and faithfulness.
23 In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk (E)tends only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but the folly of fools brings folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but one who (F)breathes out lies is deceitful.
26 In the fear of the Lord one has (G)strong confidence,
and (H)his children will have (I)a refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is (J)a fountain of life,
that one may (K)turn away from the snares of death.
28 In (L)a multitude of people is the glory of a king,
but without people a prince is ruined.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:22 Or show
Proverbs 14:21-28
Christian Standard Bible
21 The one who despises his neighbor sins,(A)
but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.(B)
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness.
25 A truthful witness rescues lives,
but one who utters lies is deceitful.(F)
26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence
and his children have a refuge.(G)
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning people away from the snares of death.(H)
28 A large population is a king’s splendor,
but a shortage of people is a ruler’s devastation.
Footnotes
- 14:23 Lit but word of lips
Proverbs 14:21-28
New American Standard Bible 1995
21 He who (A)despises his neighbor sins,
But (B)happy is he who is gracious to the [a]poor.
22 Will they not go astray who (C)devise evil?
But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.
23 In all labor there is profit,
But [b]mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The (D)crown of the wise is their riches,
But the folly of fools is foolishness.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
But he who [c](E)utters lies is [d]treacherous.
26 In the [e](F)fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And [f]his children will have refuge.
27 The [g]fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
That one may avoid the snares of death.
28 In a multitude of people is a king’s glory,
But in the dearth of people is a prince’s ruin.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:21 Or afflicted
- Proverbs 14:23 Lit word of lips
- Proverbs 14:25 Lit breathes out
- Proverbs 14:25 Lit treachery
- Proverbs 14:26 Or reverence
- Proverbs 14:26 Or His
- Proverbs 14:27 Or reverence
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
