God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 14:3
3Because of a stubborn fool’s words a whip is lifted against him, but wise people are protected by their speech.
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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve 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.
Context of Proverbs 14:3
1The wisest of women builds up her home, but a stupid one tears it down with her own hands. 2Whoever lives right fears the Lord, but a person who is devious in his ways despises him. Because of a stubborn fool’s words a whip is lifted against him, but wise people are protected by their speech. 4Where there are no cattle, the feeding trough is empty, but the strength of an ox produces plentiful harvests. 5A trustworthy witness does not lie, but a dishonest witness breathes 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 18:6By talking, a fool gets into an argument, and his mouth invites a beating.
- Proverbs 21:24An arrogant, conceited person is called a mocker. His arrogance knows no limits.
- Proverbs 22:8Whoever plants injustice will harvest trouble, and this weapon of his own fury will be destroyed.
- Proverbs 28:25A greedy person stirs up a fight, but whoever trusts the Lord prospers.
- 1 Samuel 2:3“Do not boast ⌞or⌟ let arrogance come out of your mouth because the Lord is a God of knowledge, and he weighs ⌞our⌟ actions.
- Job 5:21“When the tongue lashes out, you will be safe, and you will not be afraid of destruction when it comes.
- Psalms 12:8Wicked people parade around when immorality increases among Adam’s descendants.
- Psalms 31:18Let ⌞their⌟ lying lips be speechless, since they speak against righteous people with arrogance and contempt.
- Psalms 52:1Why do you brag about the evil you’ve done, you hero? The mercy of God lasts all day long!
- Psalms 57:4My soul is surrounded by lions. I must lie down with man-eating lions. Their teeth are spears and arrows. Their tongues are sharp swords.
- Daniel 7:20I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that had come up and made three of the horns fall out. That horn had eyes and a mouth that spoke impressive things. It appeared to be bigger than the others.
- James 3:5In the same way the tongue is a small part of the body, but it can brag about doing important things. A large forest can be set on fire by a little flame.
- 2 Peter 2:18They arrogantly use nonsense to seduce people by appealing to their sexual desires, especially to sexual freedom. They seduce people who have just escaped from those who live in error.
- Revelation 15:5After these things I looked, and I saw that the temple of the tent containing the words of God’s promise was open in heaven.
- Proverbs 12:6The words of wicked people are a deadly ambush, but the words of decent people rescue.
- Romans 10:9If you declare that Jesus is Lord, and believe that God brought him back to life, 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries