Proverbs 14:7-17

English Standard Version

⁷ Leave the presence of a fool,
    for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
    but the folly of fools is deceiving.
^9 (A)Fools mock at the guilt offering,
    but the upright enjoy acceptance.^[a]
10 The heart knows its own ^(B)bitterness,
    and no stranger shares its joy.
^11 (C)The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.
^12 (D)There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but ^(E)its end is the way to death.^[b]
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
    and ^(F)the end of joy may be ^(G)grief.
¹⁴ The backslider in heart will be ^(H)filled with the fruit of his ways,
    and ^(I)a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
^15 (J)The simple believes everything,
    but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
^16 (K)One who is wise is cautious^[c] and ^(L)turns away from evil,
    but a fool is reckless and careless.
¹⁷ A man of ^(M)quick temper acts foolishly,
    and a man of evil devices is hated.