Proverbs 14:34
New International Version
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.

New Living Translation
Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

English Standard Version
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

Berean Standard Bible
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

King James Bible
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

New King James Version
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.

New American Standard Bible
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.

NASB 1995
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.

NASB 1977
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.

Legacy Standard Bible
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.

Amplified Bible
Righteousness [moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character] exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.

Christian Standard Bible
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

American Standard Version
Righteousness exalteth a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people.

Contemporary English Version
Doing right brings honor to a nation, but sin brings disgrace.

English Revised Version
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Righteousness lifts up a nation, but sin is a disgrace in any society.

Good News Translation
Righteousness makes a nation great; sin is a disgrace to any nation.

International Standard Version
Righteousness makes a nation great, but sin diminishes any people.

Majority Standard Bible
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

NET Bible
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

New Heart English Bible
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

Webster's Bible Translation
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

World English Bible
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Righteousness exalts a nation, "" And the righteousness of peoples [is] a sin-offering.

Young's Literal Translation
Righteousness exalteth a nation, And the goodliness of peoples is a sin-offering.

Smith's Literal Translation
Justice will exalt a nation: and sin a reproach to nations.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Justice exalteth a nation: but sin maketh nations miserable.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Justice elevates a nation. But sin makes the peoples miserable.

New American Bible
Justice exalts a nation, but sin is a people’s disgrace.

New Revised Standard Version
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Righteousness exalts a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Righteousness will exalt the people and sin diminishes a people.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Righteousness exalteth a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Righteousness exalts a nation: but sins diminish tribes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Wise Woman
33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known. 34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. 35A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 7:14
and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Psalm 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His inheritance!

Isaiah 60:12
For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly destroyed.

Jeremiah 18:7-10
At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed. / But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to bring. / And if at another time I announce that I will build up and establish a nation or kingdom, ...

Daniel 9:7-8
To You, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but this day we are covered with shame—the men of Judah, the people of Jerusalem, and all Israel near and far, in all the countries to which You have driven us because of our unfaithfulness to You. / O LORD, we are covered with shame—our kings, our leaders, and our fathers—because we have sinned against You.

Romans 1:18-32
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. / For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. / For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. ...

Deuteronomy 28:1-2
“Now if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commandments I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. / And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God:

Deuteronomy 28:15
If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:

Isaiah 1:4
Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who act corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him.

Isaiah 5:20-23
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. / Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. / Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and champions in mixing strong drink, ...

Ezekiel 18:24
But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die.

Matthew 5:13-16
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. / You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ...

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

Luke 12:47-48
That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. / But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.

Acts 17:30-31
Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent. / For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”


Treasury of Scripture

Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

righteousness

Deuteronomy 4:6-8
Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people…

Deuteronomy 28:1-14
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: …

Judges 2:6-14
And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land…

but

Deuteronomy 28:15
But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

Deuteronomy 29:18-28
Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; …

Psalm 107:34
A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

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Cause Disgrace Exalteth Exalts Goodliness Lifted Nation Peoples Reproach Righteousness Shame Sin Sin-Offering
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Cause Disgrace Exalteth Exalts Goodliness Lifted Nation Peoples Reproach Righteousness Shame Sin Sin-Offering
Proverbs 14
1. A wise woman builds her house














Righteousness exalts a nation
Righteousness refers to living in accordance with God's standards and moral laws. In the biblical context, righteousness is often associated with justice, integrity, and ethical behavior. The idea that righteousness exalts a nation suggests that when a society collectively adheres to God's principles, it experiences prosperity, peace, and divine favor. This concept is echoed in other scriptures, such as Deuteronomy 28, where blessings are promised to Israel for obedience. Historically, nations that have embraced biblical principles have often seen periods of stability and growth. Theologically, this phrase underscores the importance of aligning national policies and cultural norms with God's will to achieve true greatness.

but sin is a disgrace to any people
Sin, in this context, refers to actions and attitudes that go against God's commands. It encompasses both personal and communal transgressions. The disgrace brought by sin can manifest in various forms, such as social unrest, moral decay, and divine judgment. This principle is evident throughout the Bible, as seen in the downfall of nations like Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) and Israel's own periods of exile due to disobedience (2 Kings 17). The disgrace is not limited to a specific group but applies universally to any people who turn away from righteousness. This phrase serves as a warning that sin has consequences not only for individuals but for entire communities and nations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His reign was marked by peace and prosperity, which he attributed to following God's laws.

2. Israel
The nation of Israel serves as a historical backdrop for the Proverbs. The nation's history is filled with cycles of righteousness leading to blessing and sin leading to disgrace.

3. The Kingdom of God
While not directly mentioned, the concept of a nation under God's rule is central to understanding the implications of righteousness and sin.
Teaching Points
The Power of Righteousness
Righteousness, derived from the Hebrew word "tsedaqah," implies justice, rightness, and ethical conduct. It is a powerful force that can elevate a nation, bringing it honor and divine favor.

The Consequences of Sin
Sin, from the Hebrew "chatta'ah," signifies missing the mark or rebellion against God's standards. It brings disgrace, not only to individuals but to entire communities and nations.

National and Personal Responsibility
While the verse speaks to nations, it also applies to individuals. Personal righteousness contributes to the moral fabric of society, while personal sin can lead to communal disgrace.

The Role of Leadership
Leaders have a significant impact on the moral direction of a nation. Godly leadership can guide a nation towards righteousness, while ungodly leadership can lead it into sin.

Prayer and Intercession
Believers are called to pray for their nation and its leaders, seeking God's guidance and intervention to promote righteousness and avert disgrace.(34) Righteousness.--See above, on Proverbs 10:2.

Verse 34. - Righteousness exalteth a nation. "Righteousness" (Proverbs 10:2) is the rendering to all their due, whether to God or man. We are taught the salutary lesson that a nation's real greatness consists not in its conquests, magnificence, military or artistic skill, but in its observance of the requirements of justice and religion. Hesiod, Αργ. 223 -

Οἱ δὲ δίκας ξείνοισι καὶ ἐνδήμοισι διδοῦσιν
Ἰθείας καὶ μή τι παρεκβαίνουσι δικαίου
Τοῖσι τέθηλε πόλις λαοὶ δ ἀνθεῦσιν ἐν αὐτῇ But sin is a reproach to any people; to peoples. The words for "nation" (goi) and "peoples" (leummim) are usually applied to foreign nations rather than to the Hebrews; and Wordsworth sees here a statement a fortiori: if righteousness exalts and sin degrades heathen nations, how much more must this be the case with God's own people, who have clearer revelations and heavier responsibilities! חֶסֶד (chesed) occurs in the sense of "reproach," in Leviticus 20:17, and with a different punctuation in Proverbs 25:10 of this book. Its more usual meaning is "mercy" or "piety;" hence some have explained the clause: "The piety of the peoples, i.e. the worship of the heathen, is sin; and others, taking "sin" as put metonymically for "sin offering," render: "Piety is an atonement for the peoples." But there is no doubt that the Authorized Version is correct (comp. Proverbs 11:11). Thus Symmachus renders it by ὄνειδος, "shame;" and in the same sense the Chaldee Paraphrase. The Vulgate and Septuagint, owing to the common confusion of the letters daleth and resh, have read cheser instead of chesed, and render thus: Vulgate, "Sin makes peoples miserable;" Septuagint, "Sins diminish tribes." The sin of nations contrasted with the righteousness in the first clause must be injustice, impiety, and violence. See a grand passage in the fifth book of St. Augustine's 'De Civitate Dei,' ch. 12.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Righteousness
צְדָקָ֥ה (ṣə·ḏā·qāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6666: Rightness, subjectively, objectively

exalts
תְרֽוֹמֵֽם־ (ṯə·rō·w·mêm-)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise

a nation,
גּ֑וֹי (gō·w)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

but sin
חַטָּֽאת׃ (ḥaṭ·ṭāṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

is a disgrace
וְחֶ֖סֶד (wə·ḥe·seḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

to any people.
לְאֻמִּ֣ים (lə·’um·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3816: A community


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