New International Version
Proverbs 14:34
34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.
Proverbs 14:34 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Context of Proverbs 14:34
32When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God. 33Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. 35A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury.
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 4:6Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
- Deuteronomy 28:1If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.
- Judges 2:6After Joshua had dismissed the Israelites, they went to take possession of the land, each to their own inheritance.
- Jeremiah 2:2“Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem: “This is what the Lord says: “ ‘I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the wilderness, through a land not sown.
- Hosea 13:1When Ephraim spoke, people trembled; he was exalted in Israel. But he became guilty of Baal worship and died.
- Deuteronomy 28:15However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you:
- Deuteronomy 29:18Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the Lord our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison.
- Psalms 107:34and fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
- Ezekiel 16:22In all your detestable practices and your prostitution you did not remember the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, kicking about 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 International Version — © NIV® 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica
Commentaries