Proverbs 14 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 14 ▼
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BSB
Berean Standard Bible
ESV
English Standard Version
KJV
King James Version
NIV
New International Version
NLT
New Living Translation
1 Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down. Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
2 He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him. Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is devious in his ways despises him. He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him. Whoever fears the LORD walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways. Those who follow the right path fear the LORD; those who take the wrong path despise him.
3 The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them. In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them. A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox. Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests. Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.
5 An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies. A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies.
6 A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
7 Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge. Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips. Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them. The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.
9 Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright. Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance. Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour. Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy. The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy. The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy. Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief. Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.
14 The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways. The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs. Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward.
15 The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps. The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps. Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.
16 A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless. One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. The wise fear the LORD and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure. The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.
17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated. A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated. He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated. Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated.
18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. Evil people will bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.
20 The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich. The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends. The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many “friends.”
21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor. Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.
22 Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness. Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness. Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.
23 There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty. In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly. The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly. The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly. Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful. A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful. A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful. A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.
26 He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge. In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.
28 A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin. In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined. In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined. A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing.
29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly. Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.
30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
31 Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him. Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.
32 The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death. The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death. The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God. The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known. Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools. Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful. A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully. The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame. A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury. A king rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him.
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