Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 14:34
34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
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 one is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous one has a refuge in his death. 33Wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning; she is known even among fools. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. 35A king favors a prudent servant, but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.
Read all of Proverbs 14Proverbs 14:34 word by word
צְדָקָ֥ה תְרֽוֹמֵֽם־גּ֑וֹי וְחֶ֖סֶד לְאֻמִּ֣ים חַטָּֽאת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 14:34
- Deuteronomy 4:6Carefully follow them, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the peoples. When they hear about all these statutes, they will say, ‘This great nation is indeed a wise and understanding people.’
- Deuteronomy 28:1“Now if you faithfully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all his commands I am giving you today, the Lord your God will put you far above all the nations of the earth.
- Judges 2:6Previously, when Joshua had sent the people away, the Israelites had gone to take possession of the land, each to his own inheritance.
- Jeremiah 2:2“Go and announce directly to Jerusalem that this is what the Lord says: I remember the loyalty of your youth, your love as a bride — how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.
- Hosea 13:1When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel. But he incurred guilt through Baal and died.
- Deuteronomy 28:15“But if you do not obey the Lord your God by carefully following all his commands and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come and overtake you:
- Deuteronomy 29:18Be sure there is no man, woman, clan, or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the Lord our God to go and worship the gods of those nations. Be sure there is no root among you bearing poisonous and bitter fruit.
- Psalms 107:34and fruitful land into salty wasteland, because of the wickedness of its inhabitants.
- Ezekiel 16:22In all your detestable practices and acts of prostitution, you did not remember the days of your youth when you were stark naked and thrashing around in your 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
In the dictionaries
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
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