Proverbs 14:9-27
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
9 Fools mock at the guilt offering,[a]
but the upright enjoy God’s favor.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no stranger shares its joy.
11 The house of the wicked is destroyed,
but the tent of the upright flourishes.(A)
12 There is a way that seems right to a person,
but its end is the way to death.[b](B)
13 Even in laughter the heart is sad,
and the end of joy is grief.(C)
14 The perverse get what their ways deserve,
and the good, what their deeds deserve.[c](D)
15 The simple believe everything,
but the clever consider their steps.
16 The wise are cautious and turn away from evil,
but the fool throws off restraint and is careless.(E)
17 One who is quick-tempered acts foolishly,
and the schemer is hated.(F)
18 The simple are adorned with[d] folly,
but the clever are crowned with knowledge.(G)
19 The evil bow down before the good,
the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(H)
20 The poor are disliked even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.(I)
21 Those who despise their neighbors are sinners,
but happy are those who are kind to the poor.(J)
22 Do not those who plan evil err?
Those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.
23 In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but folly is the garland[e] of fools.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but one who utters lies is a betrayer.(K)
26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
and one’s children will have a refuge.(L)
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
so that one may avoid the snares of death.(M)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.