Limitless Word

Proverbs 14:5

WEBKJVBSBESVNKJVNASBNLT
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
Proverbs 14:5 · King James Version
Parallel translations
  • WEB A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies.
  • BSB An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.
  • ESV A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.
  • NKJV A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness will utter lies.
  • NASB A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness declares lies.
  • NLT An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies. Truthfulness in testimony reflects the heart.

Overview

This proverb contrasts the reliable witness who tells the truth with the false witness whose very nature is to deceive, a serious matter in a justice system dependent on testimony. It upholds the ninth commandment's concern for truthful witness (Exodus 20:16). Christ Himself is the 'faithful and true witness' (Revelation 3:14) in contrast to the father of lies.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 10

  • Prov 19:5A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
  • Prov 6:19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
  • Exod 23:1Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
  • Prov 12:17He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
  • Prov 14:25A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
  • Prov 13:5A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
  • Prov 19:9A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
  • 1 Kgs 22:12–14And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the king’s hand.
  • 1 Kgs 21:13And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.
  • Exod 20:16Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (2)
FALSE TEACHERSFALSEHOOD

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Proverbs videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Proverbs 14:5YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on ProverbsMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.

How Proverbs 14:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.

A faithfulאֵמוּןwitnessעֵדwill not lieכָּזָבbut a falseשֶׁקֶרwitnessעֵדwill utterפּוּחַliesכָּזַב
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