Proverbs 14:5-14 - Compare All Versions
Proverbs 14:5-14 NIV (New International Version)
An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips. The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief. The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs.
Proverbs 14:5-14 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)
A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving. Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance. The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. 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.
Proverbs 14:5-14 NLT (New Living Translation)
An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies. A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding. Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips. The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves. Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation. Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish. There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains. Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward.
Proverbs 14:5-14 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness utters lies. A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive. Stay away from a foolish person; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. The sensible person’s wisdom is to consider his way, but the stupidity of fools deceives them. Fools mock at making reparation, but there is goodwill among the upright. The heart knows its own bitterness, and no outsider shares in its joy. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. Even in laughter a heart may be sad, and joy may end in grief. The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves, and a good one, what his deeds deserve.
Proverbs 14:5-14 KJV (King James Version)
A faithful witness will not lie: But a false witness will utter lies. A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: But knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. Go from the presence of a foolish man, When thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: But the folly of fools is deceit. Fools make a mock at sin: But among the righteous there is favour. The heart knoweth his own bitterness; And a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: But the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; And the end of that mirth is heaviness. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: And a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
Proverbs 14:5-14 NKJV (New King James Version)
A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness will utter lies. A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, But knowledge is easy to him who understands. Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit. Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is favor. The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy. The house of the wicked will be overthrown, But the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief. The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above.
Proverbs 14:5-14 MSG (The Message)
A true witness never lies; a false witness makes a business of it. Cynics look high and low for wisdom—and never find it; the open-minded find it right on their doorstep! Escape quickly from the company of fools; they’re a waste of your time, a waste of your words. The wisdom of the wise keeps life on track; the foolishness of fools lands them in the ditch. The stupid ridicule right and wrong, but a moral life is a favored life. The person who shuns the bitter moments of friends will be an outsider at their celebrations. Lives of careless wrongdoing are run-down shacks; holy living builds soaring cathedrals. 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. A mean person gets paid back in meanness, a gracious person in grace.
Proverbs 14:5-14 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)
A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness declares lies. A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge is easy for one who has understanding. Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge. The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit. Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is goodwill. The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, But the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way which seems right to a person, But its end is the way of death. Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief. One with a wayward heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good person will be satisfied with his.
Proverbs 14:5-14 AMP (Amplified Bible)
A faithful and trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness speaks lies. A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none [for his ears are closed to wisdom], But knowledge is easy for one who understands [because he is willing to learn]. Leave the presence of a [shortsighted] fool, For you will not find knowledge or hear godly wisdom from his lips. The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of [shortsighted] fools is deceit. Fools mock sin [but sin mocks the fools], But among the upright there is good will and the favor and blessing of God. [Prov 10:23] The heart knows its own bitterness, And no stranger shares its joy. The house of the wicked will be overthrown, But the tent of the upright will thrive. There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, But its end is the way of death. Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief. The backslider in heart will have his fill with his own [rotten] ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his ways [the godly thought and action which his heart pursues and in which he delights].
Proverbs 14:5-14 NET (New English Translation)
A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. The scorner seeks wisdom but finds none, but understanding is easy for a discerning person. Leave the presence of a foolish person, or you will not understand wise counsel. The wisdom of the shrewd person is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deception. Fools mock at reparation, but among the upright there is favor. The heart knows its own bitterness, and with its joy no one else can share. The household of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. The backslider will be paid back from his own ways, but a good person will be rewarded for his.