New Living Translation
Proverbs 14:16
16The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.
Proverbs 14:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
- New International Version (NIV)The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.
- English Standard Version (ESV)One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident.
Context of Proverbs 14:16
14Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward. 15Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence. 17Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated. 18Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Read all of Proverbs 14Proverbs 14:16 word by word
חָכָ֣ם יָ֭רֵא וְסָ֣ר מֵרָ֑ע וּ֝כְסִ֗יל מִתְעַבֵּ֥ר וּבוֹטֵֽחַ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 14:16
- Proverbs 3:7Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
- Proverbs 16:6Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.
- Proverbs 22:3A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
- Genesis 33:9“My brother, I have plenty,” Esau answered. “Keep what you have for yourself.”
- Genesis 42:18On the third day Joseph said to them, “I am a God-fearing man. If you do as I say, you will live.
- Nehemiah 5:15The former governors, in contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way.
- Job 31:21“If I raised my hand against an orphan, knowing the judges would take my side,
- Psalms 119:120I tremble in fear of you; I stand in awe of your regulations.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:22Stay away from every kind of evil.
- Proverbs 7:22He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap,
- Proverbs 28:14Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.
- Proverbs 29:9If a wise person takes a fool to court, there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction.
- 1 Kings 19:2So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.”
- 1 Kings 20:10Then Ben-hadad sent this message to Ahab: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if there remains enough dust from Samaria to provide even a handful for each of my soldiers.”
- Ecclesiastes 10:13Fools base their thoughts on foolish assumptions, so their conclusions will be wicked madness;
- Mark 6:17For Herod had sent soldiers to arrest and imprison John as a favor to Herodias. She had been his brother Philip’s wife, but Herod had married her.
Commentaries on Proverbs 14:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16A wise man feareth - He can never trust in himself, though he be satisfied from himself. He knows that his suffiency is of God; and he has that fear that causes him to depart from evil, which is a guardian to the love he feels. Love renders him cautious; the other makes him confident. His caution leads him from sin; his confidence leads him to God.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16Verse 16 Holy fear guards against every thing unholy.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. (Compare Pr 3:7; 28:14). rageth--acts proudly and conceitedly.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 14:16
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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