Proverbs 13:14
New International Version
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.

New Living Translation
The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.

English Standard Version
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

Berean Standard Bible
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.

King James Bible
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

New King James Version
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.

New American Standard Bible
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn aside from the snares of death.

NASB 1995
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn aside from the snares of death.

NASB 1977
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn aside from the snares of death.

Legacy Standard Bible
The instruction of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn aside from the snares of death.

Amplified Bible
The teaching of the wise is a fountain and source of life, So that one may avoid the snares of death.

Christian Standard Bible
A wise person’s instruction is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A wise man’s instruction is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death.

American Standard Version
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death.

Contemporary English Version
Sensible instruction is a life-giving fountain that helps you escape all deadly traps.

English Revised Version
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The teachings of a wise person are a fountain of life to turn [one] away from the grasp of death.

Good News Translation
The teachings of the wise are a fountain of life; they will help you escape when your life is in danger.

International Standard Version
What the wise have to teach is a fountain of life and causes someone to avoid the snares of death.

Majority Standard Bible
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.

NET Bible
Instruction from the wise is like a life-giving fountain, to turn a person from deadly snares.

New Heart English Bible
The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.

Webster's Bible Translation
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

World English Bible
The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The law of the wise [is] a fountain of life, "" To turn aside from snares of death.

Young's Literal Translation
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn aside from snares of death.

Smith's Literal Translation
The law of the wise one a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, that he may decline from the ruin of death.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, so that he may turn aside from the ruin of death.

New American Bible
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.

New Revised Standard Version
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, so that one may avoid the snares of death.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The law of the wise is a fountain of life to those who depart from the snares of death.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The law of wisdom is a fountain of life to those who turn from the snares of death.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, To depart from the snares of death.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The law of the wise is fountain of life: but the man void of understanding shall die by a snare.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Father's Discipline
13He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded. 14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death. 15Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult.…

Cross References
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Proverbs 14:27
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

Proverbs 10:17
Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.

Proverbs 4:13
Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life.

Proverbs 6:23
For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life,

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ...

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Psalm 19:7
The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Proverbs 15:24
The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

Proverbs 19:20
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

Proverbs 12:28
There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.


Treasury of Scripture

The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

law

Proverbs 9:11
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 14:27
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

to

Proverbs 15:24
The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

Proverbs 16:6,17
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil…

2 Samuel 22:6,7
The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me; …

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Proverbs 13
1. a scoffer does not listen to rebuke














The teaching of the wise
This phrase emphasizes the value of wisdom imparted by those who are knowledgeable and godly. The Hebrew word for "teaching" is "torah," which can also mean instruction or law. In the context of Proverbs, it refers to the moral and ethical guidance that aligns with God's will. The "wise" are those who fear the Lord, as stated in Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." Historically, wisdom literature in ancient Israel was highly esteemed, and the wise were often sought for counsel. This teaching is not merely academic but is deeply practical, intended to guide one's life in righteousness.

is a fountain of life
The imagery of a "fountain of life" suggests a source of continual refreshment and sustenance. In the arid climate of the ancient Near East, water was a precious resource, and a fountain symbolized abundance and vitality. The Hebrew word "maqor" for "fountain" implies a spring or well that provides life-giving water. Scripturally, this metaphor is used to describe the life-giving nature of God's wisdom and presence, as seen in Psalm 36:9, "For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light." The teaching of the wise, therefore, is not static but dynamic, offering ongoing nourishment for the soul.

turning one from the snares of death
This phrase highlights the protective and redemptive power of wisdom. The "snares of death" refer to the traps and pitfalls that lead to spiritual and sometimes physical destruction. The Hebrew word "mokes" for "snares" indicates a trap or a noose, often used in hunting. In a spiritual sense, these snares represent sin, folly, and the consequences of living apart from God's guidance. The wisdom imparted by the wise acts as a safeguard, steering individuals away from these dangers. Historically, the concept of wisdom as a protective force is prevalent in ancient literature, underscoring its role in preserving life and promoting well-being. In a broader scriptural context, this aligns with the message of salvation and deliverance found throughout the Bible, where adherence to God's wisdom leads to life and freedom from the bondage of sin.

(14) The law of the wise.--Or, rather, his instruction. (Comp. Proverbs 10:11.)

Snares of death.--Set by the devil (2Timothy 2:26).

Verse 14. - The law (instruction) of the wise is a fountain of life (Proverbs 10:11), which has and imparts life (Ecclus. 21:13; Psalm 36:9). The rules and teaching of wise men are a source of life to those who follow them, so that they depart from the snares of death (Proverbs 14:27). Obedience to good teaching saves from many dangers, material and spiritual, especially from the snare of the devil (2 Timothy 2:26). With "snares of death" we may compare Psalm 18:5 and Horace's ('Carm.,' 3:24. 8)

"Non mortis laqueis expedies caput." Septuagint, "The fool shall perish by the snare."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The teaching
תּוֹרַ֣ת (tō·w·raṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law

of the wise
חָ֭כָם (ḥā·ḵām)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2450: Wise

is a fountain
מְק֣וֹר (mə·qō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4726: Something dug, a, source, of happiness, wisdom, progeny)

of life,
חַיִּ֑ים (ḥay·yîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

turning one
לָ֝ס֗וּר (lā·sūr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

from the snares
מִמֹּ֥קְשֵׁי (mim·mō·qə·šê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4170: A bait or lure, a snare

of death.
מָֽוֶת׃ (mā·weṯ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin


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