16 A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.
Focused Passage
Proverbs 14:16
The Fear of the LORD, the Way That Seems Right, and Wisdom for Household, Speech, and Community
The chapter moves through compact wisdom contrasts involving household formation, moral walking, speech, work, prudence, self-deception, emotional life, treatment of the poor, fear of the LORD, patience, righteousness, national life, and wise service.
Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources
Study Helps
References and Original Words
Verse 16
Cross-references
Original words
A wise [man] חָכָ֣ם H2450 Adjective - masculine singular fears יָ֭רֵא H3373 Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular and turns וְסָ֣ר H5493 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular from evil מֵרָ֑ע H7451 Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular but a fool וּ֝כְסִ֗יל H3684 Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular is careless וּבוֹטֵֽחַ׃ H982 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular and reckless מִתְעַבֵּ֥ר H5674 Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
BSB notes
- Or fears the LORD