New Living Translation
Proverbs 14:3
3A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.
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 King James Version (NKJV)In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them.
Context of Proverbs 14:3
1A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. 2Those who follow the right path fear the Lord; those who take the wrong path despise him. A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe. 4Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest. 5An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes 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 18:6Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.
- Proverbs 21:24Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.
- Proverbs 22:8Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end.
- Proverbs 28:25Greed causes fighting; trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.
- 1 Samuel 2:3“Stop acting so proud and haughty! Don’t speak with such arrogance! For the Lord is a God who knows what you have done; he will judge your actions.
- Job 5:21You will be safe from slander and have no fear when destruction comes.
- Psalms 12:8even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land.
- Psalms 31:18Silence their lying lips— those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly.
- Psalms 52:1Why do you boast about your crimes, great warrior? Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever?
- Psalms 57:4I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey— whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords.
- Daniel 7:20I also asked about the ten horns on the fourth beast’s head and the little horn that came up afterward and destroyed three of the other horns. This horn had seemed greater than the others, and it had human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.
- James 3:5In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.
- 2 Peter 2:18They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception.
- Revelation 15:5Then I looked and saw that the Temple in heaven, God’s Tabernacle, was thrown wide open.
- Proverbs 12:6The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.
- Romans 10:9If you openly declare that 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
New Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
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