Proverbs 14:22-15:23

New International Version

²² Do not those who plot evil go astray?^(A)
    But those who plan what is good find^[a] love and faithfulness.

²³ All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

²⁴ The wealth of the wise is their crown,
    but the folly of fools yields folly.^(B)

²⁵ A truthful witness saves lives,
    but a false witness is deceitful.^(C)

²⁶ Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,^(D)
    and for their children it will be a refuge.^(E)

²⁷ The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,^(F)
    turning a person from the snares of death.^(G)

²⁸ A large population is a king’s glory,
    but without subjects a prince is ruined.^(H)

²⁹ Whoever is patient has great understanding,^(I)
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.^(J)

³⁰ A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.^(K)

³¹ Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,^(L)
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.^(M)

³² When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,^(N)
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.^(O)

³³ Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning^(P)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.^[b]

³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation,^(Q)
    but sin condemns any people.

³⁵ A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.^(R)

15 A gentle answer^(S) turns away wrath,^(T)
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

² The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,^(U)
    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.^(V)

³ The eyes^(W) of the Lord are everywhere,^(X)
    keeping watch on the wicked and the good.^(Y)

⁴ The soothing tongue^(Z) is a tree of life,^(AA)
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.^(AB)

⁵ A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
    but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.^(AC)

⁶ The house of the righteous contains great treasure,^(AD)
    but the income of the wicked brings ruin.^(AE)

⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge,^(AF)
    but the hearts of fools are not upright.

⁸ The Lord detests the sacrifice^(AG) of the wicked,^(AH)
    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.^(AI)

⁹ The Lord detests the way of the wicked,^(AJ)
    but he loves those who pursue righteousness.^(AK)

¹⁰ Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
    the one who hates correction will die.^(AL)

¹¹ Death and Destruction^[c] lie open before the Lord^(AM)—
    how much more do human hearts!^(AN)

¹² Mockers resent correction,^(AO)
    so they avoid the wise.

¹³ A happy heart makes the face cheerful,^(AP)
    but heartache crushes the spirit.^(AQ)

¹⁴ The discerning heart seeks knowledge,^(AR)
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

¹⁵ All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.^(AS)

¹⁶ Better a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great wealth with turmoil.^(AT)

¹⁷ Better a small serving of vegetables with love
    than a fattened calf with hatred.^(AU)

¹⁸ A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,^(AV)
    but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.^(AW)

¹⁹ The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,^(AX)
    but the path of the upright is a highway.

²⁰ A wise son brings joy to his father,^(AY)
    but a foolish man despises his mother.

²¹ Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,^(AZ)
    but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

²² Plans fail for lack of counsel,^(BA)
    but with many advisers^(BB) they succeed.^(BC)

²³ A person finds joy in giving an apt reply^(BD)—
    and how good is a timely word!^(BE)