English Standard Version
Proverbs 14:3
3By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
Proverbs 14:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
- New International Version (NIV)A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.
- New King James Version (NKJV)In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them.
- New Living Translation (NLT)A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.
Context of Proverbs 14:3
1The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down. 2Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises him. By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them. 4Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. 5A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.
Read all of Proverbs 14Proverbs 14:3 word by word
בְּֽפִי־אֱ֭וִיל חֹ֣טֶר גַּאֲוָ֑ה וְשִׂפְתֵ֥י חֲ֝כָמִ֗ים תִּשְׁמוּרֵֽם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 14:3
- Proverbs 18:6A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.
- Proverbs 21:24"Scoffer" is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.
- Proverbs 22:8Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.
- Proverbs 28:25A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
- 1 Samuel 2:3Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
- Job 5:21You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes.
- Psalms 12:8On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man.
- Psalms 31:18Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt.
- Psalms 52:1Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day.
- Psalms 57:4My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts— the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
- Daniel 7:20and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions.
- James 3:5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
- 2 Peter 2:18For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.
- Revelation 15:5After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened,
- Proverbs 12:6The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
- Romans 10:9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Commentaries on Proverbs 14:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3The mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride - The reproofs of such a person are ill-judged and ill-timed, and generally are conveyed in such language as renders them not only ineffectual, but displeasing, and even irritating.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3A rod of pride - i. e., The pride shown in his speech is as a rod with which he strikes down others and himself.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3Verse 3 Pride grows from that root of bitterness which is in the heart. The root must be plucked up, or we cannot conquer this branch. The prudent words of wise men get them out of difficulties.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3People can use a foolish person's words against them.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. rod of pride--that is, the punishment of pride, which they evince by their words. The words of the wise procure good to them.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 14:3
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