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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/14-34.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/20_Pro_14_34.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 14:34 - The Wise Woman" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people." /><script type="application/javascript" 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border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad14.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/14-33.htm" title="Proverbs 14:33">◄</a> Proverbs 14:34 <a href="/proverbs/14-35.htm" title="Proverbs 14:35">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/14.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/14.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/14.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/14.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/14.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/14.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin <i>is</i> a reproach to any people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/14.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin <i>is</i> a reproach to <i>any</i> people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/14.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to <i>any</i> people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/14.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/14.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to <i>any</i> people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/14.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to <i>any</i> people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/14.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Righteousness [moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character] exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/14.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/14.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/14.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Righteousness exalteth a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/14.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Doing right brings honor to a nation, but sin brings disgrace. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/14.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/14.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Righteousness lifts up a nation, but sin is a disgrace in any society.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/14.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Righteousness makes a nation great; sin is a disgrace to any nation. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/14.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Righteousness makes a nation great, but sin diminishes any people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/14.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/14.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/14.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/14.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/14.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/14.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Righteousness exalts a nation, "" And the righteousness of peoples [is] a sin-offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/14.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Righteousness exalteth a nation, And the goodliness of peoples is a sin-offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/14.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Justice will exalt a nation: and sin a reproach to nations.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/14.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Justice exalteth a nation: but sin maketh nations miserable. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/14.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Justice elevates a nation. But sin makes the peoples miserable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/14.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Justice exalts a nation, but sin is a people’s disgrace. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/14.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/14.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Righteousness exalts a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/14.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Righteousness will exalt the people and sin diminishes a people.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/14.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Righteousness exalteth a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/14.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Righteousness exalts a nation: but sins diminish tribes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/14-34.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=2787" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/14.htm">The Wise Woman</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">33</span>Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known. <span class="reftext">34</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6666.htm" title="6666: ṣə·ḏā·qāh (N-fs) -- Righteousness. From tsadaq; rightness, subjectively, objectively, morally or figuratively.">Righteousness</a> <a href="/hebrew/7311.htm" title="7311: ṯə·rō·w·mêm- (V-Piel-Imperf-3fs) -- To be high or exalted, rise. A primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise.">exalts</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: gō·w (N-ms) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">a nation,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2403.htm" title="2403: ḥaṭ·ṭāṯ (N-fs) -- Or chattacth; from chata'; an offence, and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also an offender.">but sin</a> <a href="/hebrew/2617.htm" title="2617: wə·ḥe·seḏ (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty. From chacad; kindness; by implication piety: rarely reproof, or Beauty.">is a disgrace</a> <a href="/hebrew/3816.htm" title="3816: lə·’um·mîm (N-mp) -- People. Or l owm; from an unused root meaning to gather; a community.">to any people.</a> </span><span class="reftext">35</span>A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/7-14.htm">2 Chronicles 7:14</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/33-12.htm">Psalm 33:12</a></span><br />Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His inheritance!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-12.htm">Isaiah 60:12</a></span><br />For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-7.htm">Jeremiah 18:7-10</a></span><br />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, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/9-7.htm">Daniel 9:7-8</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-18.htm">Romans 1:18-32</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-1.htm">Deuteronomy 28:1-2</a></span><br />“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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-15.htm">Deuteronomy 28:15</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Isaiah 5:20-23</a></span><br />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, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-24.htm">Ezekiel 18:24</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-13.htm">Matthew 5:13-16</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a></span><br />But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-47.htm">Luke 12:47-48</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30-31</a></span><br />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.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.</p><p class="hdg">righteousness</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/4-6.htm">Deuteronomy 4:6-8</a></b></br> Keep therefore and do <i>them</i>; for this <i>is</i> your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation <i>is</i> a wise and understanding people… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/28-1.htm">Deuteronomy 28:1-14</a></b></br> And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe <i>and</i> 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: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/2-6.htm">Judges 2:6-14</a></b></br> And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land… </p><p class="hdg">but</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/28-15.htm">Deuteronomy 28:15</a></b></br> 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:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/29-18.htm">Deuteronomy 29:18-28</a></b></br> 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 <i>and</i> serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/107-34.htm">Psalm 107:34</a></b></br> A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/14-25.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-18.htm">Disgrace</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-29.htm">Exalteth</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-29.htm">Exalts</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Goodliness</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-8.htm">Lifted</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-14.htm">Nation</a> <a href="/psalms/149-7.htm">Peoples</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-33.htm">Reproach</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-2.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-31.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-9.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/psalms/40-6.htm">Sin-Offering</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/15-1.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-3.htm">Disgrace</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-19.htm">Exalteth</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-18.htm">Exalts</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Goodliness</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-14.htm">Lifted</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-4.htm">Nation</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-24.htm">Peoples</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-3.htm">Reproach</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-9.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-35.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-6.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/ezekiel/40-39.htm">Sin-Offering</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 14</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/14-1.htm">A wise woman builds her house</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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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 <a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28</a>, 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.<p><b>but sin is a disgrace to any people</b><br>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.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>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.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_kingdom_of_god.htm">The Kingdom of God</a></b><br>While not directly mentioned, the concept of a nation under God's rule is central to understanding the implications of righteousness and sin.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_righteousness.htm">The Power of Righteousness</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/n/national_and_personal_responsibility.htm">National and Personal Responsibility</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_and_intercession.htm">Prayer and Intercession</a></b><br>Believers are called to pray for their nation and its leaders, seeking God's guidance and intervention to promote righteousness and avert disgrace.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_14.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 14</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_are_the_u.s._founding_fathers.htm">Who are the United States' Founding Fathers?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_god_judge_nations_today.htm">Does God continue to judge nations today?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_evil.htm">Why does God permit the existence of evil?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/judges_19__how_to_reconcile_with_divine_justice.htm">Judges 19—How do we reconcile this brutal event with the portrayal of divine justice and compassion found in other parts of the Bible? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/14.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(34) <span class= "bld">Righteousness.--</span>See above, on <a href="/proverbs/10-2.htm" title="Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivers from death.">Proverbs 10:2</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/14.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 34.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Righteousness exalteth a nation.</span> "Righteousness" (<a href="/proverbs/10-2.htm">Proverbs 10:2</a>) 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, <span class="greek">Αργ</span>. 223 - <p><span class="greek">Οἱ δὲ δίκας ξείνοισι καὶ ἐνδήμοισι διδοῦσιν</span><br /><span class="greek">Ἰθείας καὶ μή τι παρεκβαίνουσι δικαίου</span><br /><span class="greek">Τοῖσι τέθηλε πόλις λαοὶ δ ἀνθεῦσιν ἐν αὐτῇ</span> <span class="cmt_word">But sin is a reproach to any people;</span> <span class="accented">to peoples.</span> The words for "nation" (<span class="accented">goi</span>) and "peoples" (<span class="accented">leummim</span>) are usually applied to foreign nations rather than to the Hebrews; and Wordsworth sees here a statement <span class="accented">a</span> <span class="accented">fortiori</span>: 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! <span class="hebrew">חֶסֶד</span> (<span class="accented">chesed</span>) occurs in the sense of "reproach," in <a href="/leviticus/20-17.htm">Leviticus 20:17</a>, and with a different punctuation in <a href="/proverbs/25-10.htm">Proverbs 25:10</a> of this book. Its more usual meaning is "mercy" or "piety;" hence some have explained the clause: "The piety of the peoples, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> 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. <a href="/proverbs/11-11.htm">Proverbs 11:11</a>). Thus Symmachus renders it by <span class="greek">ὄνειδος</span>, "shame;" and in the same sense the Chaldee Paraphrase. The Vulgate and Septuagint, owing to the common confusion of the letters <span class="accented">daleth</span> and <span class="accented">resh</span>, have read <span class="accented">cheser</span> instead of <span class="accented">chesed</span>, 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/14-34.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Righteousness</span><br /><span class="heb">צְדָקָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṣə·ḏā·qāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6666.htm">Strong's 6666: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rightness, subjectively, objectively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">exalts</span><br /><span class="heb">תְרֽוֹמֵֽם־</span> <span class="translit">(ṯə·rō·w·mêm-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7311.htm">Strong's 7311: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be high actively, to rise, raise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a nation,</span><br /><span class="heb">גּ֑וֹי</span> <span class="translit">(gō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but sin</span><br /><span class="heb">חַטָּֽאת׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥaṭ·ṭāṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2403.htm">Strong's 2403: </a> </span><span class="str2">An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is a disgrace</span><br /><span class="heb">וְחֶ֖סֶד</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥe·seḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2617.htm">Strong's 2617: </a> </span><span class="str2">Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to any people.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאֻמִּ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’um·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3816.htm">Strong's 3816: </a> </span><span class="str2">A community</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/14-34.htm">Proverbs 14:34 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/14-34.htm">Proverbs 14:34 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/14-34.htm">Proverbs 14:34 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/14-34.htm">Proverbs 14:34 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/14-34.htm">Proverbs 14:34 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/14-34.htm">Proverbs 14:34 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/14-34.htm">Proverbs 14:34 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/14-34.htm">Proverbs 14:34 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/14-34.htm">Proverbs 14:34 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/14-34.htm">Proverbs 14:34 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/14-34.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation but sin (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/14-33.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 14:33"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 14:33" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/14-35.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 14:35"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 14:35" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>