Proverbs 14
Modern English Version
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.
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful,
and the end of that cheer is grief.
14 The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways,
but a good man will be satisfied with his.
15 The simple believes every word,
but the prudent man considers his steps.
16 A wise man fears and departs from evil,
but the fool rages and is self-confident.
17 He who is quick-tempered deals foolishly,
and a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow before the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is hated even by his own neighbor,
but the rich has many friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins,
but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22 Do they not err who devise evil?
But mercy and truth will be to those who devise good.
23 In all labor there is profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches,
but the foolishness of fools is folly.
25 A true witness delivers souls,
but a deceitful witness speaks lies.
26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence,
and His children will have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
to depart from the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of people is a king’s honor,
but in the lack of people is the destruction of a prince.
29 He who is slow to wrath is of great understanding,
but he who is hasty of spirit exalts folly.
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh,
but envy the rottenness of the bones.
31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker,
but he who honors Him has mercy on the poor.
32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness,
but the righteous has hope in his death.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,
but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 The king’s favor is toward a wise servant,
but his wrath is against him who causes shame.
Proverbs 29
Modern English Version
29 He who is often reproved, yet hardens his neck,
will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
but when the wicked rule, the people mourn.
3 Whoever loves wisdom rejoices his father,
but he who keeps company with harlots spends his substance.
4 The king establishes the land by judgment,
but he who receives bribes overthrows it.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare,
but the righteous sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous considers the cause of the poor,
but the wicked regards not to know it.
8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare,
but wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contends with a foolish man,
whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright,
but the just seek his soul.
11 A fool utters all his mind,
but a wise man keeps it in until afterwards.
12 If a ruler listens to lies,
all his servants are wicked.
13 The poor and the deceitful man have this in common:
The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 The king who faithfully judges the poor,
his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom,
but a child left to himself brings his mother to shame.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases;
but the righteous will see their fall.
17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest;
yes, he will give delight to your soul.
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish;
but happy is he who keeps the teaching.
19 A servant will not be corrected by words,
for though he understands he will not answer.
20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 He who delicately brings up his servant from a child
will have him as a son in the end.
22 An angry man stirs up strife,
and a furious man abounds in transgression.
23 A man’s pride will bring him low,
but honor will uphold the humble in spirit.
24 Whoever is partner with a thief hates his own soul;
he hears the oath but tells nothing.
25 The fear of man brings a snare,
but whoever puts his trust in the Lord will be safe.
26 Many seek the ruler’s favor,
but every man’s judgment comes from the Lord.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just,
and he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.