Proverbs 13:21-14:12

Modern English Version

²¹ Evil pursues sinners,
    but to the righteous good will be repaid.

²² A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
    and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

²³ Much food is in the tillage of the poor,
    but for lack of justice it is destroyed.

²⁴ He who spares his rod hates his son,
    but he who loves him disciplines him early.

²⁵ The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,
    but the stomach of the wicked will want.

14 Every wise woman builds her house,
    but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

² He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord,
    but he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.

³ In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride,
    but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

⁴ Where no oxen are, the crib is clean;
    but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

⁵ A faithful witness will not lie,
    but a false witness will utter lies.

⁶ A scorner seeks wisdom and does not find it,
    but knowledge is easy to him who understands.

⁷ Go from the presence of a foolish man,
    when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.

⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,
    but the folly of fools is deceit.

⁹ Fools make a mock at sin,
    but among the righteous there is favor.

¹⁰ The heart knows its own bitterness,
    and a stranger does not share its joy.

¹¹ The house of the wicked will be overthrown,
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.

¹² There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but its end is the way of death.