Proverbs 14
1Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. 2He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him. 3The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. 4Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox. 5An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies. 6A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. 7Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. 8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them. 9Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright. 10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy. 11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. 12There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. 13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow. 14The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways. 15The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps. 16A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless. 17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated. 18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 19The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich. 21He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor. 22Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness. 23There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty. 24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly. 25A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful. 26He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. 28A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin. 29A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly. 30A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones. 31Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him. 32The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death. 33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known. 34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. 35A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.
Life is short. Where are you going?
You just read God’s own words, and one day every one of us will stand before Him. “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14). This life will be over sooner than you think — do you know where you are going when it is?
The Bible says, “Man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). If you died today, would you be ready?
Are you a good person?
Most of us think we are. But God doesn’t measure us against other people — He measures us by His Law. Look honestly at the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3–17):
- You shall have no other gods before Me.
- You shall not make for yourself an idol.
- You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
- Honor your father and mother.
- You shall not murder.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness.
- You shall not covet.
Have you ever told a lie — even a small one? Have you ever taken something that wasn’t yours? Have you ever used God’s name as a curse word? Have you ever wanted what belongs to someone else? Jesus said that anyone who looks with lust “has already committed adultery … in his heart” (Matthew 5:28), and the Bible says “everyone who hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15).
If we’re honest, we have all broken God’s Law — and “whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10). “There is no one righteous, not even one … there is no one who does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10–12).
That leaves every one of us guilty before a holy God. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), and “whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36). This is why our world is full of tragedy — and without Christ, every life ends in the greatest tragedy of all.
But God made a way
“God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus lived the perfect life we never could, and on the cross He took the punishment we deserved: “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Three days later He rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
It’s like standing guilty in court when the judge steps down and pays your fine himself. Forgiveness is a free gift — you can’t earn it: “It is by grace you have been saved through faith … it is the gift of God, not by works” (Ephesians 2:8–9). “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” Jesus — John 10:10
What will you do with Jesus?
“Repent and believe in the gospel!” (Mark 1:15). Turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus alone — “if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Don’t put it off — “now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
And when you turn to Him, you won’t be met with a frown — you’ll be met with a celebration. Jesus said, “there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). God says, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live” (Ezekiel 33:11). He is “mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness … He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). Like the father who ran to embrace his lost son, He is waiting with open arms — and heaven throws a party when you come home (Luke 15:20–24).
If you died today, where would you spend eternity? Today you can be forgiven, made new, and have real, abundant life — now and forever.
Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), which is in the public domain.