God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 18:14
14A person’s spirit can endure sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?
Proverbs 18:14 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
- New International Version (NIV)The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
- English Standard Version (ESV)A man's spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
- New King James Version (NKJV)The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?
Context of Proverbs 18:14
12Before destruction a person’s heart is arrogant, but humility comes before honor. 13Whoever gives an answer before he listens is stupid and shameful. A person’s spirit can endure sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit? 15The mind of a person who has understanding acquires knowledge. The ears of wise people seek knowledge. 16A gift opens doors for the one who gives it and brings him into the presence of great people.
Read all of Proverbs 18Proverbs 18:14 word by word
רֽוּחַ־אִ֭ישׁ יְכַלְכֵּ֣ל מַחֲלֵ֑הוּ וְר֥וּחַ נְ֝כֵאָ֗ה מִ֣י יִשָּׂאֶֽנָּה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 18:14
- Job 1:20Job stood up, tore his robe in grief, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped.
- Job 2:7Satan left the Lord’s presence and struck Job with painful boils from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.
- Psalms 147:3He is the healer of the brokenhearted. He is the one who bandages their wounds.
- Romans 5:3But that’s not all. We also brag when we are suffering. We know that suffering creates endurance,
- Romans 8:35What will separate us from the love Christ has for us? Can trouble, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, or violent death separate us from his love?
- 2 Corinthians 1:12We are proud that our conscience is clear. We are proud of the way that we have lived in this world. We have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity, especially toward you. It was not by human wisdom that we have lived but by God’s kindness.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9But he told me: “My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I will brag even more about my weaknesses in order that Christ’s power will live in me.
- James 1:2My brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways.
- 1 Peter 1:6You are extremely happy about these things, even though you have to suffer different kinds of trouble for a little while now.
- Proverbs 17:22A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one’s strength.
- Job 6:4because the arrows of the Almighty ⌞have found their target⌟ in me, and my spirit is drinking their poison. God’s terrors line up in battle against me.
- Job 7:14then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions.
- Job 10:15How terrible it will be for me if I’m guilty! Even if I’m righteous, I dare not lift up my head. I am filled with disgrace while I look on my misery.
- Psalms 30:9“How will you profit if my blood is shed, if I go into the pit? Will the dust ⌞of my body⌟ give thanks to you? Will it tell about your truth?”
- Psalms 32:3When I kept silent ⌞about my sins⌟, my bones began to weaken because of my groaning all day long.
- Psalms 38:2Your arrows have struck me. Your hand has struck me hard.
Commentaries on Proverbs 18:14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14The spirit of a man will sustain - A man sustains the ills of his body, and the trials of life, by the strength and energy of his mind. But if the mind be scoundrel, if this be cast down, if slow-consuming care and grief have shot the dagger into the soul, what can then sustain the man? Nothing but the unseen God. Therefore, let the afflicted pray. A man's own spirit has, in general, sufficient fortitude to bear up under the unavoidable trials of life…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14Infirmity - Bodily pain or trouble. “Spirit” in the Hebrew text is masculine in the first clause, feminine in the second, as though used in the latter as having lost its strength.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14Verse 14 Firmness of mind supports under many pains and trials. But when the conscience is tortured with remorse, no human fortitude can bear the misery; what then will hell be?Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14A spiritual or emotional problem, like a crushed spirit, can be more challenging than a physical illness.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. infirmity--bodily sickness, or outward evil. The spirit, which sustains, being wounded, no support is left, except, as implied, in God.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 18:14
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 18
- 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
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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