Proverbs 14:3
1 Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
2 He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.
The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.
5 An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
- KJV
- In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
- WEB
- The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
- ASV
- In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for [his] pride; But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
- DARBY
- In the fool's mouth is a rod of pride; but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
- BLB
- In the mouth of a fool [is] a branch of pride, and the lips of the wise ones guard them.
- ÅB
- I dårens munn er et ris for hans overmot, men de vises lepper er deres vern.
- OTB
- I den dåres munn er det en ris for hans rygg, men de vises lepper vil beskytte dem.
- B1930
- I dårens munn er et ris for hans overmot, men de vises leber er deres vern.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 12:6
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
Read in contextJames 3:5–6
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.
Read in contextRevelation 12:11
They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.
Read in contextRomans 10:9–10
that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Read in contextRevelation 3:10
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Read in contextProverbs 22:8
He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
Read in contextProverbs 21:24
Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man— of him who acts with excessive pride.
Read in contextProverbs 18:6
A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
Read in context