Proverbs 14:12–16

12 There is a way that appears to be right,

but in the end it leads to death.

13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,

and rejoicing may end in grief.

14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,

and the good rewarded for theirs.

15 The simple believe anything,

but the prudent give thought to their steps.

16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,

but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,

But the end thereof are the ways of death.

13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful;

And the end of that mirth is heaviness.

14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways:

And a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

15 The simple believeth every word:

But the prudent man looketh well to his going.

16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil:

But the fool rageth, and is confident.

12 There is a path before each person that seems right,

but it ends in death.

13 Laughter can conceal a heavy heart,

but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

14 Backsliders get what they deserve;

good people receive their reward.

15 Only simpletons believe everything they’re told!

The prudent carefully consider their steps.

16 The wise are cautious and avoid danger;

fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.

12 There is a way that seems right to a man,

But its end is the way of death.

13 Even in laughter the heart may sorrow,

And the end of mirth may be grief.

14 The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways,

But a good man will be satisfied from above.

15 The simple believes every word,

But the prudent considers well his steps.

16 A wise man fears and departs from evil,

But a fool rages and is self-confident.

12 Some people think they are doing right,

but in the end it leads to death.

13 Someone who is laughing may be sad inside,

and joy may end in sadness.

14 Evil people will be paid back for their evil ways,

and good people will be rewarded for their good ones.

15 Fools will believe anything,

but the wise think about what they do.

16 Wise people are careful and stay out of trouble,

but fools are careless and quick to act.

12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man;

But the end thereof are the ways of death.

13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful;

And the end of mirth is heaviness.

14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways;

And a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

15 The simple believeth every word;

But the prudent man looketh well to his going.

16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil;

But the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident.

12 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death.

13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of mirth is sadness.

14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways, and the good man from what is in himself.

15 The simple believeth every word; but the prudent man heedeth his going.

16 A wise man feareth and departeth from evil; but the foolish is overbearing and confident.

12 There is a way that seems right to a person, 

but eventually it ends in death. 

13 Even while laughing a heart can ache, 

and joy can end in grief. 

14 A heart that turns ⸤from God⸥ becomes bored with its own ways, 

but a good person is satisfied with God’s ways. 

15 A gullible person believes anything, 

but a sensible person watches his step. 

16 A wise person is cautious and turns away from evil, 

but a fool is carelessand overconfident. 

12 There is a way that seems right to a man,

but its end is the way to death.

13 Even in laughter a heart may be sad,

and joy may end in grief.

14 The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves,

and a good man, what his deeds deserve.

15 The inexperienced one believes anything,

but the sensible one watches his steps.

16 A wise man is cautious and turns from evil,

but a fool is easily angered and is careless.

12 There is a way that seems right to a person,

but its end is the way to death.

13 Even in laughter the heart is sad,

and the end of joy is grief.

14 The perverse get what their ways deserve,

and the good, what their deeds deserve.

15 The simple believe everything,

but the clever consider their steps.

16 The wise are cautious and turn away from evil,

but the fool throws off restraint and is careless.

12 There is a way that seems upright to a man,

but its end is the way of death.

13 Even in laughter, a heart may be sad,

and the end of joy may be grief.

14 From his ways, the perverse of heart will be satisfied,

and from his own, so shall a good man.

15 The simple will believe every word,

but the clever will consider his step.

16 The wise is cautious and turns from evil,

but the fool throws off restraint and is confident.

12 There is a way that may seem right to a man.

But in the end it leads to death.

13 Even when you laugh, your heart can be hurting.

And your joy can end in sadness.

14 Those who aren’t faithful will be paid back

for what they’ve done.

And good men will receive rewards

for how they’ve lived.

15 A childish person believes anything.

But a wise person thinks about how he lives.

16 A wise person has respect for the Lord and avoids evil.

But a foolish person gets mad and is thoughtless.

12 There is a way which seems right to a man,

But its end is the way of death.

13 Even in laughter the heart may be in pain,

And the end of joy may be grief.

14 The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways,

But a good man will be satisfied with his.

15 The naive believes everything,

But the sensible man considers his steps.

16 A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil,

But a fool is arrogant and careless.