Proverbs 14:12-29

English Standard Version

^12 (A)There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but ^(B)its end is the way to death.^[a]
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
    and ^(C)the end of joy may be ^(D)grief.
¹⁴ The backslider in heart will be ^(E)filled with the fruit of his ways,
    and ^(F)a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
^15 (G)The simple believes everything,
    but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
^16 (H)One who is wise is cautious^[b] and ^(I)turns away from evil,
    but a fool is reckless and careless.
¹⁷ A man of ^(J)quick temper acts foolishly,
    and a man of evil devices is hated.
¹⁸ The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
^19 (K)The evil bow down before the good,
    the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
^20 (L)The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
    ^(M)but the rich has many friends.
²¹ Whoever ^(N)despises his neighbor is a sinner,
    but ^(O)blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
²² Do they not go astray who ^(P)devise evil?
    Those who devise good meet^{[c] (Q)}steadfast love and faithfulness.
²³ In all toil there is profit,
    but mere talk ^(R)tends only to poverty.
²⁴ The crown of the wise is their wealth,
    but the folly of fools brings folly.
²⁵ A truthful witness saves lives,
    but one who ^(S)breathes out lies is deceitful.
²⁶ In the fear of the Lord one has ^(T)strong confidence,
    and ^(U)his children will have ^(V)a refuge.
²⁷ The fear of the Lord is ^(W)a fountain of life,
    that one may ^(X)turn away from the snares of death.
²⁸ In ^(Y)a multitude of people is the glory of a king,
    but without people a prince is ruined.
²⁹ Whoever is ^(Z)slow to anger has great understanding,
    but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.