‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14:1‭-‬35‬ ‭MSG‬‬
[1] Lady Wisdom builds a lovely home; Sir Fool comes along and tears it down brick by brick. [2] An honest life shows respect for God; a degenerate life is a slap in his face. [3] Frivolous talk provokes a derisive smile; wise speech evokes nothing but respect. [4] No cattle, no crops; a good harvest requires a strong ox for the plow. [5] A true witness never lies; a false witness makes a business of it. [6] Cynics look high and low for wisdom—and never find it; the open-minded find it right on their doorstep! [7] Escape quickly from the company of fools; they’re a waste of your time, a waste of your words. [8] The wisdom of the wise keeps life on track; the foolishness of fools lands them in the ditch. [9] The stupid ridicule right and wrong, but a moral life is a favored life. [10] The person who shuns the bitter moments of friends will be an outsider at their celebrations. [11] Lives of careless wrongdoing are run-down shacks; holy living builds soaring cathedrals. [12-13] There’s a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again—it leads straight to hell. Sure, those people appear to be having a good time, but all that laughter will end in heartbreak. [14] A mean person gets paid back in meanness, a gracious person in grace. [15] The gullible believe anything they’re told; the prudent sift and weigh every word. [16] The wise watch their steps and avoid evil; fools are headstrong and reckless. [17] The hotheaded do things they’ll later regret; the coldhearted get the cold shoulder. [18] Foolish dreamers live in a world of illusion; wise realists plant their feet on the ground. [19] Eventually, evil will pay tribute to good; the wicked will respect God-loyal people. [20] An unlucky loser is shunned by all, but everyone loves a winner. [21] It’s criminal to ignore a neighbor in need, but compassion for the poor—what a blessing! [22] Isn’t it obvious that conspirators lose out, while the thoughtful win love and trust? [23] Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table. [24] The wise accumulate wisdom; fools get stupider by the day. [25] Souls are saved by truthful witness and betrayed by the spread of lies. [26] The Fear-of-God builds up confidence, and makes a world safe for your children. [27] The Fear-of-God is a spring of living water so you won’t go off drinking from poisoned wells. [28] The mark of a good leader is loyal followers; leadership is nothing without a following. [29] Slowness to anger makes for deep understanding; a quick-tempered person stockpiles stupidity. [30] A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones. [31] You insult your Maker when you exploit the powerless; when you’re kind to the poor, you honor God. [32] The evil of bad people leaves them out in the cold; the integrity of good people creates a safe place for living. [33] Lady Wisdom is at home in an understanding heart— fools never even get to say hello. [34] God-devotion makes a country strong; God-avoidance leaves people weak. [35] Diligent work gets a warm commendation; shiftless work earns an angry rebuke.

https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.14.1.MSG