New International Version
Proverbs 14:3
3A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.
Context of Proverbs 14:3
1The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. 2Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways. A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them. 4Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests. 5An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out 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 18:6The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
- Proverbs 21:24The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name— behaves with insolent fury.
- Proverbs 22:8Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.
- Proverbs 28:25The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.
- 1 Samuel 2:3“Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.
- Job 5:21You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes.
- Psalms 12:8who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.
- Psalms 31:18Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.
- Psalms 52:1Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero? Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
- Psalms 57:4I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts— men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
- Daniel 7:20I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully.
- James 3:5Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
- 2 Peter 2:18For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.
- Revelation 15:5After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened.
- Proverbs 12:6The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
- Romans 10:9If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, 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
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