New English Translation
Proverbs 18:14
14A person’s spirit sustains him through sickness – but who can bear a crushed 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 the heart of a person is proud, but humility comes before honor. 13The one who gives an answer before he listens – that is his folly and his shame. A person’s spirit sustains him through sickness – but who can bear a crushed spirit? 15The discerning person acquires knowledge, and the wise person seeks knowledge. 16A person’s gift makes room for him, and leads him before important 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 1:20Then Job got up and tore his robe. He shaved his head, and then he threw himself down with his face to the ground.
- Job 2:7So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and he afflicted Job with a malignant ulcer from the sole of his feet to the top of his head.
- Psalms 147:3He heals the brokenhearted, and bandages their wounds.
- Romans 5:3Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
- Romans 8:35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
- 2 Corinthians 1:12For our reason for confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that with pure motives and sincerity which are from God – not by human wisdom but by the grace of God – we conducted ourselves in the world, and all the more toward you.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.
- James 1:2My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials,
- 1 Peter 1:6This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials.
- Proverbs 17:22A cheerful heart brings good healing, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
- Job 6:4For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; my spirit drinks their poison; God’s sudden terrors are arrayed against me.
- Job 7:14then you scare me with dreams and terrify me with visions,
- Job 10:15If I am guilty, woe to me, and if I am innocent, I cannot lift my head; I am full of shame, and satiated with my affliction.
- Psalms 30:9“What profit is there in taking my life, in my descending into the Pit? Can the dust of the grave praise you? Can it declare your loyalty?
- Psalms 32:3When I refused to confess my sin, my whole body wasted away, while I groaned in pain all day long.
- Psalms 38:2For your arrows pierce me, and your hand presses me down.
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
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries