New King James Version
Proverbs 14:3
3In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve 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.
- New International Version (NIV)A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect 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 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 the foolish pulls it down with her hands. 2He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him. In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them. 4Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; But much increase comes by the strength of an ox. 5A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness will utter 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 18:6A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows.
- Proverbs 21:24A proud and haughty man— “Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride.
- Proverbs 22:8He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, And the rod of his anger will fail.
- Proverbs 28:25He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.
- 1 Samuel 2:3“Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the Lord is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed.
- Job 5:21You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, And you shall not be afraid of destruction when it comes.
- Psalms 12:8The wicked prowl on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.
- Psalms 31:18Let the lying lips be put to silence, Which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
- Psalms 52:1Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually.
- Psalms 57:4My soul is among lions; I lie among the sons of men Who are set on fire, Whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.
- Daniel 7:20and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.
- James 3:5Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
- 2 Peter 2:18For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.
- Revelation 15:5After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.
- Proverbs 12:6The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.
- Romans 10:9that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries