New International Version Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips. New Living Translation Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips. English Standard Version Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge. Berean Standard Bible Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. Berean Literal Bible Depart from in front of a man who is foolish, for you will not know there the lips of knowledge. King James Bible Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. New King James Version Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge. New American Standard Bible Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge. NASB 1995 Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge. NASB 1977 Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge. Legacy Standard Bible Leave the presence of a fool, As you have not known lips of knowledge there. Amplified Bible Leave the presence of a [shortsighted] fool, For you will not find knowledge or hear godly wisdom from his lips. Berean Annotated Bible Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. Christian Standard Bible Stay away from a foolish person; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. Holman Christian Standard Bible Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. American Standard Version Go into the presence of a foolish man, And thou shalt not perceive in him the lips of knowledge. Contemporary English Version Stay away from fools, or you won't learn a thing. English Revised Version Go into the presence of a foolish man, and thou shalt not perceive in him the lips of knowledge. GOD'S WORD® Translation Stay away from a fool, because you will not receive knowledge from his lips. Good News Translation Stay away from foolish people; they have nothing to teach you. International Standard Version Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find competent advice. NET Bible Leave the presence of a foolish person, or you will not understand wise counsel. New Heart English Bible Stay away from a foolish man, for you won't find knowledge on his lips. Webster's Bible Translation Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleStay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. World English Bible Stay away from a foolish man, for you won’t find knowledge on his lips. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionGo from before a foolish man, "" Or you have not known the lips of knowledge. Berean Literal Bible Depart from in front of a man who is foolish, for you will not know there the lips of knowledge. Young's Literal Translation Go from before a foolish man, Or thou hast not known the lips of knowledge. Smith's Literal Translation Go from before to the foolish man and thou knewest not the lips of knowledge. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleGo against a foolish man, and he knoweth not the lips of prudence. Catholic Public Domain Version Go against a foolish man, and he does not acknowledge lips of prudence. New American Bible Go from the face of the fool; you get no knowledge from such lips. New Revised Standard Version Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not find words of knowledge. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleEverything is a hindrance to a foolish man; but the lips of a wise man are like a weapon. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated To the foolish man, everything is against him, and the lips of the wise are the weapons of knowledge. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Go from the presence of a foolish man, for thou wilt not perceive the lips of knowledge. Brenton Septuagint Translation All things are adverse to a foolish man; but wise lips are the weapons of discretion. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Wise Woman…6A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. 7Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. 8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.… Cross References Stay away from a foolish man; Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. Proverbs 1:15 my son, do not walk the road with them or set foot upon their path. 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.” you will gain no knowledge from his speech. Proverbs 15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools. Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly. Proverbs 18:2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions. Proverbs 9:6 Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” … Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. Proverbs 22:24-25 Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man, / or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. James 4:4 You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. Proverbs 19:27 If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge. 2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these! Proverbs 23:9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. Matthew 7:6 Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. Proverbs 4:14-15 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. / Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by. Treasury of Scripture Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you perceive not in him the lips of knowledge. Proverbs 9:6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 19:27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. Jump to Previous Discern Find Fool Foolish Lips Meet Perceive Perceivest Presence Wilt Won't WordsJump to Next Discern Find Fool Foolish Lips Meet Perceive Perceivest Presence Wilt Won't WordsProverbs 14 1. A wise woman builds her houseStay away from a foolish man; Scripture warns against close association with those who reject God’s wisdom and persist in sinful judgment. Israel’s surrounding nations often followed idols and customs opposed to the Lord, making discernment in relationships necessary. Pro 13:20 He who walks with the wise will become wise,… you will gain no knowledge from his speech. A fool’s words do not provide sound instruction because he does not fear the Lord or submit to His truth. His speech is devoid of true understanding and insight, leading away from wisdom rather than toward understanding. Pro 15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge… Persons / Places / Events 1. Foolish ManIn the context of Proverbs, a foolish man is someone who lacks wisdom and understanding, often characterized by a rejection of God's ways and an inclination towards folly and sin. 2. Solomon Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, which he received from God. 3. Ancient Israel The cultural and historical backdrop of Proverbs, where wisdom literature was highly valued and seen as a guide for righteous living. Teaching Points Discernment in RelationshipsAs believers, we are called to exercise discernment in our relationships, recognizing that the company we keep can influence our spiritual growth and understanding. Pursuit of Wisdom The pursuit of wisdom is a central theme in Proverbs. We should seek out relationships and environments that foster knowledge and understanding, rather than those that lead us astray. Guarding Our Hearts and Minds By avoiding foolish influences, we protect our hearts and minds from being led into error or sin. This requires vigilance and a commitment to God's truth. Influence of Speech The words we listen to can shape our thoughts and actions. We should be mindful of the speech we allow into our lives, ensuring it aligns with biblical wisdom. Role of Community Engaging with a community of believers who are committed to wisdom and godliness can provide support and encouragement in our spiritual journey. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Proverbs 14:7?2. How can we identify a "fool" as described in Proverbs 14:7? 3. What practical steps help us "stay away" from foolish influences? 4. How does Proverbs 14:7 connect with Psalm 1:1 about avoiding ungodly counsel? 5. Why is it important to seek wisdom rather than "knowledge" from a fool? 6. How can Proverbs 14:7 guide our choices in friendships and associations? 7. What does Proverbs 14:7 mean by "fool" in a biblical context? 8. How does Proverbs 14:7 guide us in choosing our companions? 9. What historical context influenced the writing of Proverbs 14:7? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 14? (7) Go from the presence of a foolish man--(khesil)--i.e. a dull, stupid one, when the time comes that you see you can do him no good; for "evil communications corrupt good manners." Thus Samuel "came no more to see Saul," when he saw that remonstrances were unavailing with him, though he continued to "mourn" for him, remembering from what high estate he had fallen.Verse 7. - Go from the presence of a foolish man. There is some doubt about the rendering of this passage. The Vulgate gives, vade contra stultum, which is probably to be taken in the sense of the Authorized Version. The Revised Version has, "Go into the presence of a foolish man." The Hebrew מִנֶּגֶד (minneged) may mean "from before," "over against," "in the presence of." Hence arises an ambiguity. The Authorized Version considers the sentence to be an injunction to turn away from a stupid man when you perceive that you can do him no good. The Revised Version is equivalent to "if you go into the presence," etc. When thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge; Revised Version, and thou shalt not perceive in him, etc., which embodies a truism with no special point. The whole sentence is better translated, Go forth from the presence of a foolish man, and thou hast not known the lips of knowledge; i.e., as Nowack explains, "Leave the presence of a fool, and you carry nothing away with you; after all your intercourse with him, you quit his presence without having gained any advance in true knowledge" (see on Proverbs 20:15). The LXX. presents a very different version: "All things are adverse to a foolish man; but wise lips are the arms of knowledge (αἰσθήσεως)." A foolish man, by his inconsiderate, slanderous, or bitter words, makes every one his enemy; a wise man uses his knowledge to good purposes; his words are the instruments by which he shows what he is. Proverbs 14:7 urges decisive distance. Stepping back from the fool’s orbit guards the heart, preserves clarity, and aligns us with companions who foster wisdom. The verse is both a warning and an invitation: avoid sterile talk so you can drink deeply from speech that is “like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Stay awayלֵ֣ךְ (lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk from מִ֭נֶּגֶד (min·ne·ḡeḏ) Preposition-m Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before a foolish כְּסִ֑יל (kə·sîl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool man; לְאִ֣ישׁ (lə·’îš) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person you will gain יָ֝דַ֗עְתָּ (yā·ḏa‘·tā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3045: To know no וּבַל־ (ū·ḇal-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 1077: A failure, nothing, not at all, lest knowledge דָֽעַת׃ (ḏā·‘aṯ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1847: Knowledge from his speech. שִׂפְתֵי־ (śip̄·ṯê-) Noun - fdc Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin Additonal Resources Proverbs 14:7 Blue Letter BibleProverbs 14:7 Bible Gateway Proverbs 14:7 Bible.com Proverbs 14:7 NIV |
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