THE WORD Proverbs 14:1–35 (The Living Bible) A wise woman builds her house, while a foolish woman tears hers down by her own efforts. 2To do right honors God; to sin is to despise him. 3A rebel’s foolish talk should prick his own pride! But the wise man’s speech is respected. 4An empty stable stays clean—but there is no income from an empty stable. 5A truthful witness never lies; a false witness always lies. 6A mocker never finds the wisdom he claims he is looking for, yet it comes easily to the man with common sense. 7If you are looking for advice, stay away from fools. 8The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts. 9The common bond of rebels is their guilt. The common bond of godly people is goodwill. 10Only the person involved can know his own bitterness or joy—no one else can really share it. 11The work of the wicked will perish; the work of the godly will flourish. 12Before every man there lies a wide and pleasant road that seems right but ends in death. 13Laughter cannot mask a heavy heart. When the laughter ends, the grief remains. 14The backslider gets bored with himself; the godly man’s life is exciting. 15Only a simpleton believes everything he’s told! A prudent man understands the need for proof. 16A wise man is cautious and avoids danger; a fool plunges ahead with great confidence. 17A short-tempered man is a fool. He hates the man who is patient. 18The simpleton is crowned with folly; the wise man is crowned with knowledge. 19Evil men shall bow before the godly. 20-21Even his own neighbors despise the poor man, while the rich have many “friends.” But to despise the poor is to sin. Blessed are those who help them. 22Those who plot evil shall wander away and be lost, but those who plan good shall be granted mercy and quietness. 23Work brings profit; talk brings poverty! 24Wise men are praised for their wisdom; fools are despised for their folly. 25A witness who tells the truth saves good men from being sentenced to death, but a false witness is a traitor. 26Reverence for God gives a man deep strength; his children have a place of refuge and security. 27Reverence for the Lord is a fountain of life; its waters keep a man from death. 28A growing population is a king’s glory; a dwindling nation is his doom. 29A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes. 30A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life; jealousy rots it away. 31Anyone who oppresses the poor is insulting God who made them. To help the poor is to honor God. 32The godly have a refuge when they die, but the wicked are crushed by their sins. 33Wisdom is enshrined in the hearts of men of common sense, but it must shout loudly before fools will hear it. 34Godliness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. 35A king rejoices in servants who know what they are doing; he is angry with those who cause trouble. GOODNESS.
Posted on: Fri, 13 Sep 2013 22:36:02 +0000
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