Menu
Bible Gateway Plus logo
Bible Gateway logo
account
Share feedback on the new Bible Gateway
Bible Gateway Plus logo
Bible Gateway logo
Share feedback on the new Bible Gateway
  • Read
    • Reading Plans
    • Advanced Search
    • Available Versions
    • Audio Bibles
  • Study
    • Scripture Engagement
    • More Resources
  • Explore
    • Bible News
    • Newsletters
    • Devotionals
    • Bible Gateway App
    • Bible Audio App
  • Store
    • Bibles
    • Deals
    • More
  • Bible Gateway Plus
NIV
Version
Bible Books Bible Books
NIV
Version
Read
Study
Explore
Store
Bible Gateway Plus
Light Mode Dark Mode
Font Size
Log In show menu
Previous Next
Listen to Proverbs 14AudioPrintPrintSettingsSettingsShareShareParallelParallelExpandExpandCollapse

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.

3 A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,(B)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.(C)

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.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,(I)
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.(J)

12 There is a way that appears to be right,(K)
    but in the end it leads to death.(L)

13 Even in laughter(M) the heart may ache,
    and rejoicing may end in grief.

14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,(N)
    and the good rewarded for theirs.(O)

15 The simple believe anything,
    but the prudent give thought to their steps.(P)

16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,(Q)
    but a fool(R) is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

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)

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,(X)
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.(Y)

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)

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,(AE)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(AF)

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

  1. Proverbs 14:22 Or show
  2. Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known

Cross references

  1. Proverbs 14:1 : S Ru 3:11; Pr 24:3
  2. Proverbs 14:3 : S Pr 10:14; Ecc 10:12
  3. Proverbs 14:3 : S Pr 10:13; S 12:6
  4. Proverbs 14:4 : Ps 144:14
  5. Proverbs 14:5 : S Ps 12:2; S Pr 12:17
  6. Proverbs 14:6 : S Pr 9:9
  7. Proverbs 14:8 : ver 15; Pr 15:28; 21:29
  8. Proverbs 14:8 : ver 24
  9. Proverbs 14:11 : S Job 8:22; Pr 21:12
  10. Proverbs 14:11 : S Ps 72:7; S Pr 3:33; S 12:7
  11. Proverbs 14:12 : S Pr 12:15
  12. Proverbs 14:12 : Pr 16:25
  13. Proverbs 14:13 : Ecc 2:2; 7:3, 6
  14. Proverbs 14:14 : S Pr 1:31
  15. Proverbs 14:14 : S 2Ch 15:7; Pr 12:14
  16. Proverbs 14:15 : S ver 8
  17. Proverbs 14:16 : S Ex 20:20; Pr 22:3
  18. Proverbs 14:16 : S 1Sa 25:25
  19. Proverbs 14:17 : S 2Ki 5:12
  20. Proverbs 14:17 : ver 29; Pr 15:18; 16:28; 26:21; 28:25; 29:22
  21. Proverbs 14:17 : S Est 5:9
  22. Proverbs 14:19 : Pr 11:29
  23. Proverbs 14:20 : Pr 19:4, 7
  24. Proverbs 14:21 : Pr 11:12
  25. Proverbs 14:21 : Pr 19:17
  26. Proverbs 14:22 : Pr 4:16-17
  27. Proverbs 14:24 : ver 8
  28. Proverbs 14:25 : S Pr 12:17
  29. Proverbs 14:26 : Pr 18:10
  30. Proverbs 14:26 : Ps 9:9
  31. Proverbs 14:27 : S Pr 10:11
  32. Proverbs 14:27 : Ps 18:5; Pr 13:14
  33. Proverbs 14:28 : S 2Sa 19:7
  34. Proverbs 14:29 : S 2Ki 5:12; Pr 17:27
  35. Proverbs 14:29 : S ver 17; Ecc 7:8-9
  36. Proverbs 14:30 : Pr 17:22
  37. Proverbs 14:31 : Pr 17:5
  38. Proverbs 14:31 : S Dt 24:14; S Job 20:19; S Mt 10:42
  39. Proverbs 14:32 : S Ps 34:21; S Pr 6:15
  40. Proverbs 14:32 : S Job 13:15
  41. Proverbs 14:33 : Pr 2:6-10
  42. Proverbs 14:34 : Pr 11:11
  43. Proverbs 14:35 : S Est 8:2; Mt 24:45-51; 25:14-30
Next
Proverbs 13
Proverbs 15
Next
dropdown
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.

NIV Foundation Study Bible

More on the NIV

  • Unleash God's Word!

Bible Gateway Recommends

NIV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New International Version
NIV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New International Version
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Purchase Buy Now
NIV, Radiant Virtues Bible: A Beautiful Word Collection, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Explore the virtues of faith, hope, and love
NIV, Radiant Virtues Bible: A Beautiful Word Collection, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Explore the virtues of faith, hope, and love
Retail: $69.98
Our Price: $48.99
Save: $20.99 (30%)
Purchase Buy Now
NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow God’s Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture
NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow God’s Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Purchase Buy Now
NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Red Letter Edition: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture
NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Red Letter Edition: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Purchase Buy Now
NIV Application Bible, Red Letter, Comfort Print: Bringing the Ancient Message of the Bible into Your World
NIV Application Bible, Red Letter, Comfort Print: Bringing the Ancient Message of the Bible into Your World
Retail: $54.99
Our Price: $35.00
Save: $19.99 (36%)
Purchase Buy Now
NIV, Lucado Encouraging Word Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New International Version
NIV, Lucado Encouraging Word Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New International Version
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Purchase Buy Now
View more titles
Bible Gateway Plus logo
Bible Gateway logo

Font Size

Font Size

Dark Mode

Light Mode Dark Mode

About

  • About
  • Learn About the Bible
  • Statement of Faith
  • Mobile App
  • Store
  • Blog
  • Newsroom
  • Support Us

Help

  • FAQs
  • Tutorials
  • Use Bible Gateway on Your Site
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Site: Terms of use
  • Widget: Terms of use

Our Network

  • FaithGateway
  • StudyGateway
  • ChurchSource
  • HarperCollins Christian Publishing
  • Grupo Nelson
  • Editorial Vida
  • Thomas Nelson
  • WestBow Press
  • Zondervan
  • MasterLectures

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • X
  • YouTube

Preferences

  • Versión en español
  • Preferences
Sign Up for Bible Gateway: News & Knowledge
Get weekly Bible news, info, reflections, and deals in your inbox.

By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, operated by HarperCollins Christian Publishing, 501 Nelson Pl, Nashville, TN 37214 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateway’s emails at any time. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com.

Preferences

  • Versión en español
  • Preferences