Proverbs 14:27-34
Proverbs 14:27-34 The Message (MSG)
The Fear-of-GOD is a spring of living water so you won’t go off drinking from poisoned wells. The mark of a good leader is loyal followers; leadership is nothing without a following. Slowness to anger makes for deep understanding; a quick-tempered person stockpiles stupidity. A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones. You insult your Maker when you exploit the powerless; when you’re kind to the poor, you honor God. The evil of bad people leaves them out in the cold; the integrity of good people creates a safe place for living. Lady Wisdom is at home in an understanding heart— fools never even get to say hello. God-devotion makes a country strong; God-avoidance leaves people weak.
Proverbs 14:27-34 King James Version (KJV)
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To depart from the snares of death. In the multitude of people is the king's honour: But in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. A sound heart is the life of the flesh: But envy the rottenness of the bones. He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: But he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: But the righteous hath hope in his death. Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: But that which is in the midst of fools is made known. Righteousness exalteth a nation: But sin is a reproach to any people.
Proverbs 14:27-34 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death. In a multitude of people is a king’s glory, But in the dearth of people is a prince’s ruin. He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly. A tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones. He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him. The wicked is thrust down by his wrongdoing, But the righteous has a refuge when he dies. Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, But in the hearts of fools it is made known. Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.
Proverbs 14:27-34 New Century Version (NCV)
Respect for the LORD gives life. It is like a fountain that can save people from death. A king is honored when he has many people to rule, but a prince is ruined if he has none. Patient people have great understanding, but people with quick tempers show their foolishness. Peace of mind means a healthy body, but jealousy will rot your bones. Whoever mistreats the poor insults their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. The wicked are ruined by their own evil, but those who do right are protected even in death. Wisdom lives in those with understanding, and even fools recognize it. Doing what is right makes a nation great, but sin will bring disgrace to any people.
Proverbs 14:27-34 American Standard Version (ASV)
The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death. In the multitude of people is the king’s glory; But in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. A tranquil heart is the life of the flesh; But envy is the rottenness of the bones. He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; But he that hath mercy on the needy honoreth him. The wicked is thrust down in his evil-doing; But the righteous hath a refuge in his death. Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding; But that which is in the inward part of fools is made known. Righteousness exalteth a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people.
Proverbs 14:27-34 New International Version (NIV)
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined. Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God. Wisdom 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.
Proverbs 14:27-34 New King James Version (NKJV)
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. In a multitude of people is a king’s honor, But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince. He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly. A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones. He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy. The wicked is banished in his wickedness, But the righteous has a refuge in his death. Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known. Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.
Proverbs 14:27-34 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The [reverent] fear of the LORD [that leads to obedience and worship] is a fountain of life, So that one may avoid the snares of death. [John 4:10, 14] In a multitude of people is a king’s glory, But in a lack of people is a [pretentious] prince’s ruin. He who is slow to anger has great understanding [and profits from his self-control], But he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness [for all to see]. [Prov 16:32; James 1:19] A calm and peaceful and tranquil heart is life and health to the body, But passion and envy are like rottenness to the bones. He who oppresses the poor taunts and insults his Maker, But he who is kind and merciful and gracious to the needy honors Him. [Prov 17:5; Matt 25:40, 45] The wicked is overthrown through his wrongdoing, But the righteous has hope and confidence and a refuge [with God] even in death. Wisdom rests [silently] in the heart of one who has understanding, But what is in the heart of [shortsighted] fools is made known. [Is 32:6] Righteousness [moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character] exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.
Proverbs 14:27-34 New Living Translation (NLT)
Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death. A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing. People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him. The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die. Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools. Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Proverbs 14:27-34 The Passion Translation (TPT)
To worship God in wonder and awe opens a fountain of life within you, empowering you to escape death’s domain. A king glories in the number of his loyal followers, but a dwindling population spells ruin for any leader. When your heart overflows with understanding you’ll be very slow to get angry. But if you have a quick temper, your impatience will be quickly seen by all. A tender, tranquil heart will make you healthy, but jealousy can make you sick. Insult your Creator, will you? That’s exactly what you do every time you oppress the powerless! Showing kindness to the poor is equal to honoring your maker. The wicked are crushed by every calamity, but the righteous find a strong hope in the time of death. Wisdom soothes the heart of the one with living-understanding, but the heart of the fool just stockpiles stupidity. A nation is exalted by the righteousness of its people, but sin heaps disgrace upon the land.
Proverbs 14:27-34 English Standard Version Revision 2016 (ESV)
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined. Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death. Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.