Proverbs 14:34

Proverbs 14:34 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
• New International Version (NIV)Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.

Context of Proverbs 14:34

32The wicked is overthrown through his wrongdoing, But the righteous has hope and confidence and a refuge [with God] even in death. 33Wisdom rests [silently] in the heart of one who has understanding, But what is in the heart of [shortsighted] fools is made known. Righteousness [moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character] exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people. 35The king’s favor and good will are toward a servant who acts wisely and discreetly, But his anger and wrath are toward him who acts shamefully.

Proverbs 14:34 word by word

צְדָקָ֥ה תְרֽוֹמֵֽם־גּ֑וֹי וְחֶ֖סֶד לְאֻמִּ֣ים חַטָּֽאת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Righteousnessצְדָקָהtsedâqâh · righteousnessH6666
• exaltethרוּםrûm · to exaltH7311
• a nationגּוֹיgôy gôy · nationH1471
• but sinחַטָּאתchaţţâ'âh chaţţâ'th · sinH2403
• a reproachחֶ֫סֶדchêsêd · shameH2617
• to any peopleלְאֹםle'ôm le'ôm · peopleH3816

Cross-references for Proverbs 14:34

• Deuteronomy 4:6So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’
• Deuteronomy 28:1“Now it shall be, if you diligently listen to and obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all of His commandments which I am commanding you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.
• Judges 2:6And when Joshua had sent the people away, the [tribes of the] Israelites went each to his inheritance, to take possession of the land.
• Jeremiah 2:2“Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord, “I remember [earnestly] the lovingkindness and devotion of your youth, Your time of betrothal [like that of a bride during the early years in Egypt and again at Sinai], When you followed Me in the wilderness, Through a land not sown.
• Hosea 13:1When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling and terror. He exalted himself [above the other tribes] in Israel; But through [the worship of] Baal he became guilty and died [spiritually, and then came ruin, sealing Israel’s doom as a nation].
• Deuteronomy 28:15“But it shall come about, if you do not listen to and obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today, then all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:
• Deuteronomy 29:18so that there will not be among you a man or woman, or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the Lord our God, to go and serve the [false] gods of these nations; so that there will not be among you a root [of idolatry] bearing poisonous fruit and wormwood (bitterness).
• Psalms 107:34A productive land into a [barren] salt waste, Because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it.
• Ezekiel 16:22And in all your repulsive acts and prostitutions (idolatrous immoralities) you did not [pause to] remember the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, squirming in your [newborn] blood.

Commentaries on Proverbs 14:34

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 34But sin is a reproach to any people - I am satisfied this is not the sense of the original, חטאת לאמים וחסד vechesed leummim chattath ; which would be better rendered, And mercy is a sin-offering for the people. The Vulgate has, Miseros autem facit populos peccatum, "sin makes the people wretched." ̔ ; "But sins lessen the tribes." - Septuagint. So also the Syriac and Arabic. The plain meaning of the original seems to be, A national disposition to mercy…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 34Reproach - The word so rendered has this sense in the Targum of Leviticus 20:17. Its more usual meaning is “mercy,” “piety;” hence, some have attached to the word rendered “sin” the sense of “sin-offering,” and so get the maxim “piety is an atonement for the people.”Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 34Verse 34 Piety and holiness always promote industry, sobriety, and honesty.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 34A great nation is not defined by wealth, power, or military victories (Proverbs 14:28) but by its moral values.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3434. Righteousness--just principles and actions. exalteth--raises to honor. is a reproach--brings on them the ill-will of others (compare Pr 13:6).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 14:34

• Nation
• Righteousness

In the dictionaries

• Backslider
• Confident
• Crib
• Easy
• Envious
• Hasty
• Mock
• Poetry
• Prudent
• Rich

Commentaries on Proverbs 14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings