Proverbs 14:3

In ¹  the speech ²  of a fool is a rod for his back, ³  but the words ⁴  of the wise protect them.

A fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back, But the lips of the wise will protect them.

The talk of fools is a rod for their backs, but the words of the wise keep them out of trouble.

Frivolous talk provokes a derisive smile; wise speech evokes nothing but respect.

In the mouth of the foolish man is a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will keep them safe.

The talk of fools is a rod for their backs, but the lips of the wise preserve them.

In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them.

In ¹  the speech ²  of a fool is a rod for his back, ³  but the words ⁴  of the wise protect them.

¹ tn The preposition בְּ (bet) may denote (1) exchange: “in exchange for” foolish talk there is a rod; or (2) cause: “because of” foolish talk.

² sn The noun פֶּה (peh, “mouth”) functions as a metonymy of cause for what is said (“speech, words, talk”).

³ tc The MT reads גַּאֲוָה (ga’avah, “pride”) which creates an awkward sense “in the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride” (cf. KJV, ASV). The BHS editors suggest emending the form to גֵּוֹה (“disciplining-rod”) to create tighter parallelism and irony: “in the mouth of a fool is a rod for the back” (e.g., Prov 10:13). What the fools says will bring discipline.

tn Heb “a rod of back.” The noun גֵּוֹה functions as a genitive of specification: “a rod for his back.” The fool is punished because of what he says.

⁴ tn Heb “lips.” The term “lips” is a metonymy of cause, meaning what they say. The wise by their speech will find protection.