English Standard Version
Proverbs 14:16
16One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.
Proverbs 14:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
- New International Version (NIV)The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.
Context of Proverbs 14:16
14The 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. 15The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. 17A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated. 18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Read all of Proverbs 14Proverbs 14:16 word by word
חָכָ֣ם יָ֭רֵא וְסָ֣ר מֵרָ֑ע וּ֝כְסִ֗יל מִתְעַבֵּ֥ר וּבוֹטֵֽחַ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 14:16
- Proverbs 3:7Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
- Proverbs 16:6By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
- Proverbs 22:3The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.
- Genesis 33:9But Esau said, "I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself."
- Genesis 42:18On the third day Joseph said to them, "Do this and you will live, for I fear God:
- Nehemiah 5:15The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God.
- Job 31:21if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate,
- Psalms 119:120My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:22Abstain from every form of evil.
- Proverbs 7:22All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast
- Proverbs 28:14Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
- Proverbs 29:9If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
- 1 Kings 19:2Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow."
- 1 Kings 20:10Ben-hadad sent to him and said, "The gods do so to me and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people who follow me."
- Ecclesiastes 10:13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.
- Mark 6:17For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her.
Commentaries on Proverbs 14:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16A wise man feareth - He can never trust in himself, though he be satisfied from himself. He knows that his suffiency is of God; and he has that fear that causes him to depart from evil, which is a guardian to the love he feels. Love renders him cautious; the other makes him confident. His caution leads him from sin; his confidence leads him to God.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16Verse 16 Holy fear guards against every thing unholy.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. (Compare Pr 3:7; 28:14). rageth--acts proudly and conceitedly.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 14:16
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries