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Proverbs 14
New King James Version
Proverbs 14
New King James Version
The Ways of Life and Death
14 The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.
2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord,
(A)But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.
3 In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride,
(B)But the lips of the wise will preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the [a]trough is clean;
But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it,
But (E)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 (F)knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,
But the folly of fools is deceit.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
And a stranger does not share its joy.
11 (H)The house of the wicked will be overthrown,
But the tent of the upright will flourish.
13 Even in laughter the heart may sorrow,
And (L)the end of mirth may be grief.
14 The backslider in heart will be (M)filled with his own ways,
But a good man will be satisfied [c]from (N)above.
15 The simple believes every word,
But the prudent considers well his steps.
16 (O)A wise man fears and departs from evil,
But a fool rages and is self-confident.
17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of wicked intentions is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly,
But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil will bow before the good,
And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 (P)The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor,
But [d]the rich has many (Q)friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins;
(R)But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22 Do they not go astray who devise evil?
But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.
23 In all labor there is profit,
But [e]idle chatter leads only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches,
But the foolishness of fools is folly.
26 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And His children will have a place of refuge.
27 (T)The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death.
28 In a multitude of people is a king’s honor,
But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.
31 (X)He who oppresses the poor reproaches (Y)his Maker,
But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.
32 The wicked is banished in his wickedness,
But (Z)the righteous has a refuge in his death.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,
But (AA)what is in the heart of fools is made known.
35 (AC)The king’s favor is toward a wise servant,
But his wrath is against him who causes shame.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:4 manger or feed trough
- Proverbs 14:9 Lit. guilt
- Proverbs 14:14 Lit. from above himself
- Proverbs 14:20 Lit. many are the lovers of the rich
- Proverbs 14:23 Lit. talk of the lips
- Proverbs 14:25 saves lives
- Proverbs 14:29 Lit. short of spirit
- Proverbs 14:34 shame or disgrace
Proverbs 14
1599 Geneva Bible
Proverbs 14
1599 Geneva Bible
14 1 A wise woman [a]buildeth her house: but the foolish destroyeth it with her own hands.
2 (A)He that walketh in his [b]righteousness, feareth the Lord: but he that is lewd in his ways, despiseth him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is the [c]rod of pride: but the lips of the wise preserve them.
4 Where none [d]oxen are, there the crib is empty: but much increase cometh by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false record will speak lies.
6 [e]A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy to him that will understand.
7 Depart from the foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the foolishness of the fools is deceit.
9 The fool maketh a mock of [f]sin: but among the righteous there is favor.
10 The heart knoweth the [g]bitterness of his soul, and the stranger shall not meddle with his joy.
11 The house of the wicked shall be destroyed: but the tabernacle of the righteous shall flourish.
12 (B)There is a way that seemeth right to a man: but the issues thereof are the ways of death.
13 Even in laughing the heart is sorrowful, [h]and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
14 The heart that declineth, [i]shall be satiated with his own ways: but a good man shall depart from him.
15 The foolish will believe everything: but the prudent will consider his steps.
16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil, but a fool rageth, and is careless.
17 He that is hasty to anger, commiteth folly, and a [j]busybody is hated.
18 The foolish do inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil shall bow before the good, and the wicked [k]at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbor: but the friends of the rich are many.
21 The sinner despiseth his neighbor: but he that hath mercy on the poor, is blessed.
22 Do not they err that imagine evil? but to them that think on good things, shall be mercy and truth.
23 In all labor there is abundance: but the talk of the lips bringeth only want.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches, and the folly of fools is foolishness.
25 A faithful witness delivereth souls: but a deceiver speaketh lies.
26 In the fear of the Lord is an assured strength, and his children shall have hope.
27 The fear of the Lord is as a wellspring of life, to avoid the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of the [l]people is the honor of a King, and for the want of people cometh the destruction of the Prince.
29 He that is slow to wrath, is of great wisdom: but he that is of an hasty mind, exalteth folly.
30 A sound heart is the life of the [m]flesh: but envy is the rotting of the bones.
31 (C)He that oppresseth the poor, reproveth him that made him: but he honoreth him, that hath mercy on the poor.
32 The wicked shall be cast away for his malice: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding, and is known [n]in the midst of fools.
34 Justice exalteth a nation, [o]but sin is a shame to the people.
35 The pleasure of a King is in a wise servant: but his wrath shall be toward him that is lewd.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:1 That is, taketh pain to profit her family, and to do that which concerneth her duty in her house.
- Proverbs 14:2 That is, in uprightness of heart, and without hypocrisy.
- Proverbs 14:3 His proud tongue shall cause him to be punished.
- Proverbs 14:4 By the ox is meant labor, and by the crib the barn: meaning, without labor there is no profit.
- Proverbs 14:6 For the maintenance of his own ambition, and not for God’s glory, as Simon Magus.
- Proverbs 14:9 Doth not know the grievousness thereof, nor God’s judgments against the same.
- Proverbs 14:10 As a man’s conscience is witness of his own grief, so another cannot feel the joy and comfort which a man feeleth in himself.
- Proverbs 14:13 He showeth the allurement unto sin, seemeth sweet, but the end thereof is destruction.
- Proverbs 14:14 He that forsaketh God shall be punished, and made weary of his sins, wherein he delighted.
- Proverbs 14:17 Hebrew, the man of imaginations.
- Proverbs 14:19 If this come not daily to pass, we must consider that it is because of our sins, which let God’s working.
- Proverbs 14:28 That is, the strength of a king standeth in many people.
- Proverbs 14:30 Or, body.
- Proverbs 14:33 Forasmuch as they are convicted thereby and put to silence.
- Proverbs 14:34 Or, and the mercy of the people is a sacrifice for sin.
Proverbs 14
English Standard Version
Proverbs 14
English Standard Version
14 (A)The wisest of women (B)builds her house,
but folly with her own hands (C)tears it down.
2 Whoever (D)walks in uprightness fears the Lord,
but he who is (E)devious in his ways despises him.
3 By the mouth of a fool comes (F)a rod for his back,[a]
(G)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 (H)A faithful witness does not lie,
but (I)a false witness breathes out lies.
6 (J)A scoffer seeks wisdom (K)in vain,
but (L)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 (M)Fools mock at the guilt offering,
but the upright enjoy acceptance.[b]
10 The heart knows its own (N)bitterness,
and no stranger shares its joy.
11 (O)The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 (P)There is a way that seems right to a man,
but (Q)its end is the way to death.[c]
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and (R)the end of joy may be (S)grief.
14 The backslider in heart will be (T)filled with the fruit of his ways,
and (U)a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
15 (V)The simple believes everything,
but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
16 (W)One who is wise is cautious[d] and (X)turns away from evil,
but a fool is reckless and careless.
17 A man of (Y)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 (Z)The evil bow down before the good,
the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 (AA)The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
(AB)but the rich has many friends.
21 Whoever (AC)despises his neighbor is a sinner,
but (AD)blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
22 Do they not go astray who (AE)devise evil?
Those who devise good meet[e] (AF)steadfast love and faithfulness.
23 In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk (AG)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 (AH)breathes out lies is deceitful.
26 In the fear of the Lord one has (AI)strong confidence,
and (AJ)his children will have (AK)a refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is (AL)a fountain of life,
that one may (AM)turn away from the snares of death.
28 In (AN)a multitude of people is the glory of a king,
but without people a prince is ruined.
29 Whoever is (AO)slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
30 A tranquil[f] heart gives (AP)life to the flesh,
but (AQ)envy[g] makes (AR)the bones rot.
31 Whoever oppresses a poor man (AS)insults his (AT)Maker,
(AU)but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
32 (AV)The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,
but (AW)the righteous finds refuge in his death.
33 Wisdom (AX)rests in the heart of a man of understanding,
but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.[h]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 A servant who deals wisely has (AY)the king's favor,
but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:3 Or In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride
- Proverbs 14:9 Hebrew but among the upright is acceptance
- Proverbs 14:12 Hebrew ways of death
- Proverbs 14:16 Or fears [the Lord]
- Proverbs 14:22 Or show
- Proverbs 14:30 Or healing
- Proverbs 14:30 Or jealousy
- Proverbs 14:33 Or Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of a man of understanding, but makes itself known in the midst of fools
Proverbs 14
New International Version
Proverbs 14
New International Version
14 The wise woman builds her house,(A)
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2 Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
but those who despise him are devious in their ways.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but from the strength of an ox(D) come abundant harvests.
5 An honest witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies.(E)
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(F)
7 Stay away from a fool,
for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(G)
but the folly of fools is deception.(H)
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.
13 Even in laughter(M) the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.
15 The simple believe anything,
but the prudent give thought to their steps.(P)
17 A quick-tempered person(S) does foolish things,(T)
and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.(U)
18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(V)
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.(W)
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?(Z)
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.(AA)
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is deceitful.(AB)
26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(AC)
and for their children it will be a refuge.(AD)
28 A large population is a king’s glory,
but without subjects a prince is ruined.(AG)
29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(AH)
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(AI)
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.(AJ)
31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(AK)
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(AL)
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(AM)
but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(AN)
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(AO)
and even among fools she lets herself be known.[b]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(AP)
but sin condemns any people.
35 A king delights in a wise servant,
but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(AQ)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:22 Or show
- Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
1599 Geneva Bible (GNV) 
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.