New English Translation
Proverbs 14:34
34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Proverbs 14:34 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
- New International Version (NIV)Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.
Context of Proverbs 14:34
32The wicked will be thrown down in his trouble, but the righteous have refuge even in the threat of death. 33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; it is known even in the heart of fools. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. 35The king shows favor to a wise servant, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
Read all of Proverbs 14Proverbs 14:34 word by word
צְדָקָ֥ה תְרֽוֹמֵֽם־גּ֑וֹי וְחֶ֖סֶד לְאֻמִּ֣ים חַטָּֽאת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 14:34
- Deuteronomy 4:6So be sure to do them, because this will testify of your wise understanding to the people who will learn of all these statutes and say, “Indeed, this great nation is a very wise people.”
- Deuteronomy 28:1“If you indeed obey the Lord your God and are careful to observe all his commandments I am giving you today, the Lord your God will elevate you above all the nations of the earth.
- Judges 2:6When Joshua dismissed the people, the Israelites went to their allotted portions of territory, intending to take possession of the land.
- Jeremiah 2:2“Go and declare in the hearing of the people of Jerusalem: ‘This is what the Lord says: “I have fond memories of you, how devoted you were to me in your early years. I remember how you loved me like a new bride; you followed me through the wilderness, through a land that had never been planted.
- Hosea 13:1When Ephraim spoke, there was terror; he was exalted in Israel, but he became guilty by worshiping Baal and died.
- Deuteronomy 28:15“But if you ignore the Lord your God and are not careful to keep all his commandments and statutes I am giving you today, then all these curses will come upon you in full force:
- Deuteronomy 29:18Beware that the heart of no man, woman, clan, or tribe among you turns away from the Lord our God today to pursue and serve the gods of those nations; beware that there is among you no root producing poisonous and bitter fruit.
- Psalms 107:34and a fruitful land into a barren place, because of the sin of its inhabitants.
- Ezekiel 16:22And with all your abominable practices and prostitution you did not remember the days of your youth when you were naked and bare, kicking around in your blood.
Commentaries on Proverbs 14:34
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 34But sin is a reproach to any people - I am satisfied this is not the sense of the original, חטאת לאמים וחסד vechesed leummim chattath ; which would be better rendered, And mercy is a sin-offering for the people. The Vulgate has, Miseros autem facit populos peccatum, "sin makes the people wretched." ̔ ; "But sins lessen the tribes." - Septuagint. So also the Syriac and Arabic. The plain meaning of the original seems to be, A national disposition to mercy…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 34Reproach - The word so rendered has this sense in the Targum of Leviticus 20:17. Its more usual meaning is “mercy,” “piety;” hence, some have attached to the word rendered “sin” the sense of “sin-offering,” and so get the maxim “piety is an atonement for the people.”Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 34Verse 34 Piety and holiness always promote industry, sobriety, and honesty.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 34A great nation is not defined by wealth, power, or military victories (Proverbs 14:28) but by its moral values.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3434. Righteousness--just principles and actions. exalteth--raises to honor. is a reproach--brings on them the ill-will of others (compare Pr 13:6).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 14:34
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
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries