Proverbs 14:5-28

⁵A trustworthy witness doesn't lie, but a false witness is deceptive.

⁶It's pointless for a scoffer to look for wisdom, but knowledge comes easily to someone who understands.

⁷Stay away from stupid people—you won't learn anything from them.

⁸Sensible people use their wisdom to decide where they're going, but the foolishness of stupid people is treacherous.

⁹Stupid people laugh at sin, but good people want forgiveness.

¹⁰The individual's mind alone knows its sadnesses, and no one else can share its happiness.

¹¹The house of wicked people will be destroyed, but the tent of good people will prosper.

¹²There's a way that seems to be right, but in the end it's the way of death.

¹³Even when you're laughing you can be feeling sad—joy can end in grief.

¹⁴Disloyal people are repaid for what they do, and good people are rewarded.

¹⁵Stupid people believe whatever they're told, but sensible people think about what they're doing.

¹⁶Wise people are careful and avoid evil, but stupid people are confidently reckless.

¹⁷Quick-tempered people act foolishly, while people who make evil plans are hated.

¹⁸The inheritance of stupid people is stupidity, but sensible people are rewarded with knowledge.

¹⁹Evil people bow down before good people, and the wicked bow down at the doors of those who do right.

²⁰The poor are hated even by their neighbors, while the rich have many friends.

²¹People who look down on their neighbors are sinners, but those who are kind to the poor are blessed.

²²Aren't people who plan to do evil wrong? But those who plan to do good have trustworthy love and faithfulness.

²³There's profit in hard work, but chatting just leads to poverty.

²⁴The wise are rewarded with wealth, but stupid people are rewarded with stupidity.

²⁵A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is treacherous.

²⁶People who honor the Lord are completely safe; he will protect their children.

²⁷Respecting the Lord is like a fountain of life, so you can avoid the snares of death.

²⁸The glory of a king is the number of his subjects, for a ruler is nothing without them.