Proverbs 13:19-14:16

English Standard Version

^19 (A)A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
    but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
²⁰ Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
^21 (B)Disaster^[a] pursues sinners,
    ^(C)but the righteous are rewarded with good.
^22 (D)A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
    but ^(E)the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
²³ The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
    but it is swept away through ^(F)injustice.
^24 (G)Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
    but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.^[b]
25 (H)The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
    but the belly of the wicked suffers want.
14 ^(I)The wisest of women ^(J)builds her house,
    but folly with her own hands ^(K)tears it down.
² Whoever ^(L)walks in uprightness fears the Lord,
    but he who is ^(M)devious in his ways despises him.
³ By the mouth of a fool comes ^(N)a rod for his back,^{[c]
    (O)}but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
⁴ Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
    but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
^5 (P)A faithful witness does not lie,
    but ^(Q)a false witness breathes out lies.
^6 (R)A scoffer seeks wisdom ^(S)in vain,
    but ^(T)knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
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 (U)Fools mock at the guilt offering,
    but the upright enjoy acceptance.^[d]
10 The heart knows its own ^(V)bitterness,
    and no stranger shares its joy.
^11 (W)The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.
^12 (X)There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but ^(Y)its end is the way to death.^[e]
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
    and ^(Z)the end of joy may be ^(AA)grief.
¹⁴ The backslider in heart will be ^(AB)filled with the fruit of his ways,
    and ^(AC)a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
^15 (AD)The simple believes everything,
    but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
^16 (AE)One who is wise is cautious^[f] and ^(AF)turns away from evil,
    but a fool is reckless and careless.