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Read the Bible
THE MESSAGE
Proverbs 14:7
Escape quickly from the company of fools; they're a waste of your time, a waste of your words.
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Clarke's Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
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- InternationalParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
Stay away from a foolish person;you will gain no knowledge from his speech.
Stay away from a foolish person;you will gain no knowledge from his speech.
Hebrew Names Version
Stay away from a foolish man, For you won't find knowledge on his lips.
Stay away from a foolish man, For you won't find knowledge on his lips.
King James Version
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
English Standard Version
Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
New American Standard Bible
Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge.
Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge.
New Century Version
Stay away from fools, because they can't teach you anything.
Stay away from fools, because they can't teach you anything.
New English Translation
Leave the presence of a foolish person, or you will not understand wise counsel.
Leave the presence of a foolish person, or you will not understand wise counsel.
Amplified Bible
Leave the presence of a [shortsighted] fool, For you will not find knowledge or hear godly wisdom from his lips.
Leave the presence of a [shortsighted] fool, For you will not find knowledge or hear godly wisdom from his lips.
World English Bible
Stay away from a foolish man, For you won't find knowledge on his lips.
Stay away from a foolish man, For you won't find knowledge on his lips.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Depart from the foolish man, when thou perceiuest not in him the lippes of knowledge.
Depart from the foolish man, when thou perceiuest not in him the lippes of knowledge.
Legacy Standard Bible
Leave the presence of a fool,As you have not known lips of knowledge there.
Leave the presence of a fool,As you have not known lips of knowledge there.
Berean Standard Bible
Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.
Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.
Contemporary English Version
Stay away from fools, or you won't learn a thing.
Stay away from fools, or you won't learn a thing.
Complete Jewish Bible
Keep clear of a fool, for you won't hear a sensible word from him.
Keep clear of a fool, for you won't hear a sensible word from him.
Darby Translation
Go from the presence of a foolish man, in whom thou perceivest not the lips of knowledge.
Go from the presence of a foolish man, in whom thou perceivest not the lips of knowledge.
Easy-to-Read Version
Stay away from fools, there is nothing they can teach you.
Stay away from fools, there is nothing they can teach you.
George Lamsa Translation
Everything is a hindrance to a foolish man; but the lips of a wise man are like a weapon.
Everything is a hindrance to a foolish man; but the lips of a wise man are like a weapon.
Good News Translation
Stay away from foolish people; they have nothing to teach you.
Stay away from foolish people; they have nothing to teach you.
Lexham English Bible
Leave the presence of a foolish man, for you will not come to know words of knowledge.
Leave the presence of a foolish man, for you will not come to know words of knowledge.
Literal Translation
Go from before a foolish man, or you will not know the lips of knowledge.
Go from before a foolish man, or you will not know the lips of knowledge.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Se yt thou medle not with a foole, & do as though thou haddest no knowlege.
Se yt thou medle not with a foole, & do as though thou haddest no knowlege.
American Standard Version
Go into the presence of a foolish man, And thou shalt not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.
Go into the presence of a foolish man, And thou shalt not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.
Bible in Basic English
Go away from the foolish man, for you will not see the lips of knowledge.
Go away from the foolish man, for you will not see the lips of knowledge.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Go from the presence of a foolish man, for thou wilt not perceive the lips of knowledge.
Go from the presence of a foolish man, for thou wilt not perceive the lips of knowledge.
King James Version (1611)
Goe from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceiuest not in him the lippes of knowledge.
Goe from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceiuest not in him the lippes of knowledge.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Get thee from a foolishe man, when thou perceauest not in hym the lippes of knowledge.
Get thee from a foolishe man, when thou perceauest not in hym the lippes of knowledge.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
All things are adverse to a foolish man; but wise lips are the weapons of discretion.
All things are adverse to a foolish man; but wise lips are the weapons of discretion.
English Revised Version
Go into the presence of a foolish man, and thou shalt not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.
Go into the presence of a foolish man, and thou shalt not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Go thou ayens a man a fool; and he schal not knowe the lippis of prudence.
Go thou ayens a man a fool; and he schal not knowe the lippis of prudence.
Update Bible Version
Go into the presence of a foolish man, And you shall not perceive [in him] the lips of knowledge.
Go into the presence of a foolish man, And you shall not perceive [in him] the lips of knowledge.
Webster's Bible Translation
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not [in him] the lips of knowledge.
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.
Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.
New Living Translation
Stay away from fools, for you won't find knowledge on their lips.
Stay away from fools, for you won't find knowledge on their lips.
New Life Bible
Go away from a foolish man, for you will not find words of much learning.
Go away from a foolish man, for you will not find words of much learning.
New Revised Standard
Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not find words of knowledge.
Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not find words of knowledge.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Get thee from the presence of a man that is a dullard, when thou perceivest not the lips of knowledge.
Get thee from the presence of a man that is a dullard, when thou perceivest not the lips of knowledge.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Go against a foolish man, and he knoweth not the lips of prudence.
Go against a foolish man, and he knoweth not the lips of prudence.
Revised Standard Version
Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
Young's Literal Translation
Go from before a foolish man, Or thou hast not known the lips of knowledge.
Go from before a foolish man, Or thou hast not known the lips of knowledge.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge.
Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge.
Contextual Overview
7 Escape quickly from the company of fools; they're a waste of your time, a waste of your words.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Proverbs 9:6, Proverbs 13:20, Proverbs 19:27, 1 Corinthians 5:11, Ephesians 5:11
Reciprocal: Jeremiah 28:11 - Thus
Cross-References
Genesis 14:1
Then this: Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim went off to war to fight Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, that is, Zoar.
Then this: Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim went off to war to fight Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, that is, Zoar.
Genesis 14:8
That's when the king of Sodom marched out with the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, that is, Zoar. They drew up in battle formation against their enemies in the Valley of Siddim—against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, four kings against five.
That's when the king of Sodom marched out with the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, that is, Zoar. They drew up in battle formation against their enemies in the Valley of Siddim—against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, four kings against five.
Genesis 16:14
That's how that desert spring got named "God-Alive-Sees-Me Spring." That spring is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.
That's how that desert spring got named "God-Alive-Sees-Me Spring." That spring is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.
Genesis 20:1
Abraham traveled from there south to the Negev and settled down between Kadesh and Shur. While he was camping in Gerar, Abraham said of his wife Sarah, "She's my sister." So Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent for Sarah and took her. But God came to Abimelech in a dream that night and told him, "You're as good as dead—that woman you took, she's a married woman." Now Abimelech had not yet slept with her, hadn't so much as touched her. He said, "Master, would you kill an innocent man? Didn't he tell me, ‘She's my sister'? And didn't she herself say, ‘He's my brother'? I had no idea I was doing anything wrong when I did this." God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know your intentions were pure, that's why I kept you from sinning against me; I was the one who kept you from going to bed with her. So now give the man's wife back to him. He's a prophet and will pray for you—pray for your life. If you don't give her back, know that it's certain death both for you and everyone in your family." Abimelech was up first thing in the morning. He called all his house servants together and told them the whole story. They were shocked. Then Abimelech called in Abraham and said, "What have you done to us? What have I ever done to you that you would bring on me and my kingdom this huge offense? What you've done to me ought never to have been done." Abimelech went on to Abraham, "Whatever were you thinking of when you did this thing?" Abraham said, "I just assumed that there was no fear of God in this place and that they'd kill me to get my wife. Besides, the truth is that she is my half sister; she's my father's daughter but not my mother's. When God sent me out as a wanderer from my father's home, I told her, ‘Do me a favor; wherever we go, tell people that I'm your brother.'" Then Abimelech gave Sarah back to Abraham, and along with her sent sheep and cattle and servants, both male and female. He said, "My land is open to you; live wherever you wish." And to Sarah he said, "I've given your brother a thousand pieces of silver—that clears you of even a shadow of suspicion before the eyes of the world. You're vindicated." Then Abraham prayed to God and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his maidservants, and they started having babies again. For God had shut down every womb in Abimelech's household on account of Sarah, Abraham's wife.
Abraham traveled from there south to the Negev and settled down between Kadesh and Shur. While he was camping in Gerar, Abraham said of his wife Sarah, "She's my sister." So Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent for Sarah and took her. But God came to Abimelech in a dream that night and told him, "You're as good as dead—that woman you took, she's a married woman." Now Abimelech had not yet slept with her, hadn't so much as touched her. He said, "Master, would you kill an innocent man? Didn't he tell me, ‘She's my sister'? And didn't she herself say, ‘He's my brother'? I had no idea I was doing anything wrong when I did this." God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know your intentions were pure, that's why I kept you from sinning against me; I was the one who kept you from going to bed with her. So now give the man's wife back to him. He's a prophet and will pray for you—pray for your life. If you don't give her back, know that it's certain death both for you and everyone in your family." Abimelech was up first thing in the morning. He called all his house servants together and told them the whole story. They were shocked. Then Abimelech called in Abraham and said, "What have you done to us? What have I ever done to you that you would bring on me and my kingdom this huge offense? What you've done to me ought never to have been done." Abimelech went on to Abraham, "Whatever were you thinking of when you did this thing?" Abraham said, "I just assumed that there was no fear of God in this place and that they'd kill me to get my wife. Besides, the truth is that she is my half sister; she's my father's daughter but not my mother's. When God sent me out as a wanderer from my father's home, I told her, ‘Do me a favor; wherever we go, tell people that I'm your brother.'" Then Abimelech gave Sarah back to Abraham, and along with her sent sheep and cattle and servants, both male and female. He said, "My land is open to you; live wherever you wish." And to Sarah he said, "I've given your brother a thousand pieces of silver—that clears you of even a shadow of suspicion before the eyes of the world. You're vindicated." Then Abraham prayed to God and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his maidservants, and they started having babies again. For God had shut down every womb in Abimelech's household on account of Sarah, Abraham's wife.
Numbers 13:26
They presented themselves before Moses and Aaron and the whole congregation of the People of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh. They reported to the whole congregation and showed them the fruit of the land. Then they told the story of their trip: "We went to the land to which you sent us and, oh! It does flow with milk and honey! Just look at this fruit! The only thing is that the people who live there are fierce, their cities are huge and well fortified. Worse yet, we saw descendants of the giant Anak. Amalekites are spread out in the Negev; Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites hold the hill country; and the Canaanites are established on the Mediterranean Sea and along the Jordan." Caleb interrupted, called for silence before Moses and said, "Let's go up and take the land—now. We can do it." But the others said, "We can't attack those people; they're way stronger than we are." They spread scary rumors among the People of Israel. They said, "We scouted out the land from one end to the other—it's a land that swallows people whole. Everybody we saw was huge. Why, we even saw the Nephilim giants (the Anak giants come from the Nephilim). Alongside them we felt like grasshoppers. And they looked down on us as if we were grasshoppers."
They presented themselves before Moses and Aaron and the whole congregation of the People of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh. They reported to the whole congregation and showed them the fruit of the land. Then they told the story of their trip: "We went to the land to which you sent us and, oh! It does flow with milk and honey! Just look at this fruit! The only thing is that the people who live there are fierce, their cities are huge and well fortified. Worse yet, we saw descendants of the giant Anak. Amalekites are spread out in the Negev; Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites hold the hill country; and the Canaanites are established on the Mediterranean Sea and along the Jordan." Caleb interrupted, called for silence before Moses and said, "Let's go up and take the land—now. We can do it." But the others said, "We can't attack those people; they're way stronger than we are." They spread scary rumors among the People of Israel. They said, "We scouted out the land from one end to the other—it's a land that swallows people whole. Everybody we saw was huge. Why, we even saw the Nephilim giants (the Anak giants come from the Nephilim). Alongside them we felt like grasshoppers. And they looked down on us as if we were grasshoppers."
Numbers 20:1
In the first month, the entire company of the People of Israel arrived in the Wilderness of Zin. The people stayed in Kadesh. Miriam died there, and she was buried.
In the first month, the entire company of the People of Israel arrived in the Wilderness of Zin. The people stayed in Kadesh. Miriam died there, and she was buried.
Numbers 24:20
Then Balaam spotted Amalek and delivered an oracle-message. He said, Amalek, you're in first place among nations right now, but you're going to come in last, ruined.
Then Balaam spotted Amalek and delivered an oracle-message. He said, Amalek, you're in first place among nations right now, but you're going to come in last, ruined.
Deuteronomy 1:19
Then we set out from Horeb and headed for the Amorite hill country, going through that huge and frightening wilderness that you've had more than an eyeful of by now—all under the command of God , our God—and finally arrived at Kadesh Barnea. There I told you, "You've made it to the Amorite hill country that God , our God, is giving us. Look, God , your God, has placed this land as a gift before you. Go ahead and take it now. God , the God-of-Your-Fathers, promised it to you. Don't be afraid. Don't lose heart."
Then we set out from Horeb and headed for the Amorite hill country, going through that huge and frightening wilderness that you've had more than an eyeful of by now—all under the command of God , our God—and finally arrived at Kadesh Barnea. There I told you, "You've made it to the Amorite hill country that God , our God, is giving us. Look, God , your God, has placed this land as a gift before you. Go ahead and take it now. God , the God-of-Your-Fathers, promised it to you. Don't be afraid. Don't lose heart."
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Go from the presence of a foolish man,.... A wicked one; avoid him, shun his company, depart from him, have no fellowship with him, it, being dangerous, infectious, and hurtful;
when thou perceivest not [in him] the lips of knowledge; when it is observed that his lips pour out foolishness, what is corrupt and unsavoury, unchaste and filthy; what does not minister grace to the hearers, nor is for the use of edifying, nor any ways improving in useful knowledge, but all the reverse: the Targum is,
"for there is no knowledge in his lips,''
in what is expressed by them; some understand this ironically, and render the words thus, "go right against a foolish man" f; join in company with him, "and thou shalt not know the lips of knowledge", or learn anything by him; if you have a mind to be ignorant, keep company with a foolish man; so Jarchi and Gersom: or rather to this sense the words may be rendered, "go to a foolish man, seeing thou knowest not the lips of knowledge" g, since thou dost not approve of wise and knowing men, whose lips would teach knowledge; and despisest the Gospel, and Gospel ministers the pope of Rome, as Cocceius on the text serves, and hear him, what his holiness and infallibility says; or some other false teacher.
f לכ מנגד לאיש כסיל "e regione viri stulti", De Dieu; so Gussetius, p. 495. and Schultens g "Abi ut stes cora in viro stolido", Cocceius.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Proverbs 14:7. When thou perceivest not - the lips of knowledge. — Instead of דעת daath, knowledge, several MSS. have שקר sheker, a lie. How this reading came I cannot conjecture. The meaning of the adage is plain: Never associate with a vain, empty fellow, when thou perceivest he can neither convey nor receive instruction.
