God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 14:24
24The crown of wise people is their wealth. The stupidity of fools is just that—stupidity!
Proverbs 14:24 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
- New International Version (NIV)The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools is folly.
Context of Proverbs 14:24
22Don’t those who stray plan what is evil, while those who are merciful and faithful plan what is good? 23In hard work there is always something gained, but idle talk leads only to poverty. The crown of wise people is their wealth. The stupidity of fools is just that—stupidity! 25An honest witness saves lives, but one who tells lies is dangerous. 26In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and his children will have a place of refuge.
Read all of Proverbs 14Proverbs 14:24 word by word
עֲטֶ֣רֶת חֲכָמִ֣ים עָשְׁרָ֑ם אִוֶּ֖לֶת כְּסִילִ֣ים אִוֶּֽלֶת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 14:24
- Psalms 112:9He gives freely to poor people. His righteousness continues forever. His head is raised in honor.
- Ecclesiastes 7:11Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. It is an advantage to everyone who sees the sun.
- Isaiah 33:6He will be the foundation of your future. The riches of salvation are wisdom and knowledge. The fear of the Lord is ⌞your⌟ treasure.
- Luke 16:9⌞Jesus continued,⌟ “I’m telling you that although wealth is often used in dishonest ways, you should use it to make friends for yourselves. When life is over, you will be welcomed into an eternal home.
- Proverbs 27:22If you crush a stubborn fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, ⌞even then⌟ his stupidity will not leave him.
- Psalms 49:10Indeed, one can see that wise people die, that foolish and stupid people meet the same end. They leave their riches to others.
- Luke 12:19Then I’ll say to myself, “You’ve stored up a lot of good things for years to come. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” ’
- Luke 16:19“There was a rich man who wore expensive clothes. Every day was like a party to him.
Commentaries on Proverbs 14:24
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 24But the foolishness of fools is folly - The Targum reads, The honor of fools is folly. The fool, from his foolishness, produces acts of folly. This appears to be the meaning.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 24“The crown,” i. e., the glory of the wise man constitutes his wealth. He alone is truly rich even as he alone (compare Proverbs 14:18 note) is truly king. The seeming tautology of the second clause is really its point. Turn “the foolishness of fools” as you will, it comes back to “foolishness” at last.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 24Verse 24 The riches of men of wisdom and piety enlarge their usefulness.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 24This proverb shares a general idea. Sometimes, fools have wealth (Proverbs 10:2; 11:18), and poverty does not always come from foolishness (compare Proverbs 13:23; 16:8).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2424. (Compare Pr 3:16). foolishness ... folly--Folly remains, or produces folly; it has no benefit.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 14:24
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries