Proverbs 13:14
New International Version
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.

New Living Translation
The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.

English Standard Version
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

Berean Standard Bible
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.

King James Bible
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

New King James Version
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.

New American Standard Bible
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn aside from the snares of death.

NASB 1995
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn aside from the snares of death.

NASB 1977
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn aside from the snares of death.

Legacy Standard Bible
The instruction of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn aside from the snares of death.

Amplified Bible
The teaching of the wise is a fountain and source of life, So that one may avoid the snares of death.

Christian Standard Bible
A wise person’s instruction is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A wise man’s instruction is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death.

American Standard Version
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death.

Contemporary English Version
Sensible instruction is a life-giving fountain that helps you escape all deadly traps.

English Revised Version
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The teachings of a wise person are a fountain of life to turn [one] away from the grasp of death.

Good News Translation
The teachings of the wise are a fountain of life; they will help you escape when your life is in danger.

International Standard Version
What the wise have to teach is a fountain of life and causes someone to avoid the snares of death.

Majority Standard Bible
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.

NET Bible
Instruction from the wise is like a life-giving fountain, to turn a person from deadly snares.

New Heart English Bible
The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.

Webster's Bible Translation
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

World English Bible
The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The law of the wise [is] a fountain of life, "" To turn aside from snares of death.

Young's Literal Translation
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn aside from snares of death.

Smith's Literal Translation
The law of the wise one a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, that he may decline from the ruin of death.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, so that he may turn aside from the ruin of death.

New American Bible
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.

New Revised Standard Version
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, so that one may avoid the snares of death.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The law of the wise is a fountain of life to those who depart from the snares of death.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The law of wisdom is a fountain of life to those who turn from the snares of death.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, To depart from the snares of death.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The law of the wise is fountain of life: but the man void of understanding shall die by a snare.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Father's Discipline
13He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded. 14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death. 15Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult.…

Cross References
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Proverbs 14:27
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

Proverbs 10:17
Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.

Proverbs 4:13
Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life.

Proverbs 6:23
For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life,

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ...

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Psalm 19:7
The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Proverbs 15:24
The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

Proverbs 19:20
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

Proverbs 12:28
There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.


Treasury of Scripture

The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

law

Proverbs 9:11
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 14:27
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

to

Proverbs 15:24
The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

Proverbs 16:6,17
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil…

2 Samuel 22:6,7
The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me; …

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Proverbs 13
1. a scoffer does not listen to rebuke














The teaching of the wise
The phrase emphasizes the value of wisdom, which is a central theme in the book of Proverbs. Wisdom in biblical terms is not merely intellectual knowledge but a deep understanding rooted in the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). The wise are those who live according to God's principles, and their teachings are grounded in divine truth. This aligns with the biblical tradition of valuing the counsel of elders and those who have walked faithfully with God, as seen in the role of elders in Israelite society (Exodus 18:21).

is a fountain of life
A fountain symbolizes a continuous and abundant source of sustenance and refreshment. In the arid climate of the ancient Near East, water was a precious resource, and a fountain would be a life-giving presence. Similarly, the wisdom imparted by the wise provides spiritual nourishment and vitality. This imagery is echoed in other scriptures, such as John 4:14, where Jesus speaks of the living water that leads to eternal life, drawing a parallel between divine wisdom and the life-giving presence of Christ.

turning one from the snares of death
The snares of death refer to the various traps and pitfalls that lead to spiritual and physical destruction. In the ancient world, snares were used to catch animals, symbolizing the deceptive and sudden nature of sin's consequences. Wisdom acts as a guide, steering individuals away from these dangers. This concept is reinforced in Proverbs 14:27, which also describes the fear of the Lord as a fountain of life that turns one away from the snares of death. The ultimate deliverance from death is found in Jesus Christ, who through His resurrection, conquered death and offers eternal life to those who follow Him (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Wise
Refers to individuals who possess and impart godly wisdom. In the context of Proverbs, the wise are those who fear the Lord and live according to His commandments.

2. Fountain of Life
A metaphorical expression used to describe the life-giving and sustaining power of wisdom. In ancient times, fountains were vital sources of water, symbolizing sustenance and vitality.

3. Snares of Death
Represents the traps and pitfalls that lead to spiritual and sometimes physical destruction. In biblical literature, death often symbolizes separation from God and His ways.
Teaching Points
The Value of Godly Wisdom
Godly wisdom is not just intellectual knowledge but a life-giving force that sustains and protects us from spiritual harm.

Avoiding Spiritual Traps
By adhering to the teachings of the wise, we can avoid the snares that lead to spiritual death, such as sin and disobedience.

The Role of the Community
Surrounding ourselves with wise and godly individuals can help us grow in wisdom and avoid life's pitfalls.

The Fear of the Lord
Reverence for God is foundational to acquiring wisdom, which in turn becomes a source of life and protection.

Practical Application of Wisdom
Applying wisdom in daily decisions can lead to a more fulfilling and spiritually enriched life.(14) The law of the wise.--Or, rather, his instruction. (Comp. Proverbs 10:11.)

Snares of death.--Set by the devil (2Timothy 2:26).

Verse 14. - The law (instruction) of the wise is a fountain of life (Proverbs 10:11), which has and imparts life (Ecclus. 21:13; Psalm 36:9). The rules and teaching of wise men are a source of life to those who follow them, so that they depart from the snares of death (Proverbs 14:27). Obedience to good teaching saves from many dangers, material and spiritual, especially from the snare of the devil (2 Timothy 2:26). With "snares of death" we may compare Psalm 18:5 and Horace's ('Carm.,' 3:24. 8)

"Non mortis laqueis expedies caput." Septuagint, "The fool shall perish by the snare."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The teaching
תּוֹרַ֣ת (tō·w·raṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law

of the wise
חָ֭כָם (ḥā·ḵām)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2450: Wise

is a fountain
מְק֣וֹר (mə·qō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4726: Something dug, a, source, of happiness, wisdom, progeny)

of life,
חַיִּ֑ים (ḥay·yîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

turning one
לָ֝ס֗וּר (lā·sūr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

from the snares
מִמֹּ֥קְשֵׁי (mim·mō·qə·šê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4170: A bait or lure, a snare

of death.
מָֽוֶת׃ (mā·weṯ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin


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